B-CET Respiratory / Ventilation Workshop

Barossa Hills Fleurieu Collaboration for Education and Training

Welcome to the Prelearning

Latest Course Update: January 2025

Ventilation plays an increasing role in the management of seriously ill patients in the emergency department. Traditionally, ventilation has been limited to the delivery of positive pressure ventilation in the unconscious, intubated (often paralysed) patient. This is generally referred to as "assisted" or "mechanical" ventilation. In recent years, the use of noninvasive ventilation has become widespread due to research that has demonstrated the benefit of CPAP and BiPAP in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and acute pulmonary oedema, two of the most common causes for life-threatening presentations due to acute respiratory distress to the emergency department.

Another method of Noninvasive respiratory support, Humidified High Flow Nasal prong Oxygen (HFNP) is being increasingly used in the management of adults with severe respiratory distress and hypoxia. With a primary role as a bridge between low flow oxygen therapy (e.g., nasal specs at 2 l/min) and CPAP it may be often considered in patients with hypoxia receiving high flow oxygen mask therapy and in patients with severe respiratory distress requiring non-invasive ventilation. In the prelearning we explore the evolving role of HFNP oxygen in clinical practice and identify patients who may be suitable for HFNP therapy.