The Impact of Respiratory Therapist Performed Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound on the Respiratory Care in Neonates, Manitoba Experience, Canada

Abstract

Abstract Objective We aimed to evaluate the impact of the registered respiratory therapist (RRT) performed point-of-care lung ultrasound (POC-LUS) on patient management in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Study Design This is a retrospective cohort study of neonates who had RRT performed POC-LUS in two level III NICUs in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The analysis aims mainly to describe the implementation process of the POC-LUS program. The primary outcome was the prediction of the change in clinical management. Results A total of 136 neonates underwent 171 POC-LUS studies during the study period. POC-LUS resulted in a change in clinical management following 113 POC-LUS studies (66%), while it supported continuing the same management in 58 studies (34%). The lung ultrasound severity score (LUSsc) was significantly higher in the group with worsening hypoxemic respiratory failure and on respiratory support than infants on respiratory support and stable or not on respiratory support, p < 0.0001. LUSsc was significantly higher in infants on either noninvasive or invasive than those not on respiratory support, p-value <0.0001. Conclusion RRT performed POC-LUS service utilization in Manitoba improved and guided the clinical management of a significant proportion of patients who received the service.