Respiratory monitoring

Article Abstract:

A review is provided of the status of systems that monitor a patient's respiratory function when the patient is in respiratory distress or failure. These systems are connected to alarms that will warn staff of significant changes in the patient's condition, with the goal of improving diagnosis and treatment of respiratory disorders. Ultimately, effective monitoring could allow the creation of intermediate care units, where patients could be evaluated prior to transfer, if needed, to a more costly intensive care unit. Several techniques are described and evaluated. Measurement of gases dissolved in the blood is the most basic parameter of interest in respiratory monitoring, but a completely satisfactory way of doing this has not been developed. Pulse oximetry is a noninvasive method that compares the amounts of oxygenated and reduced hemoglobin in the blood (hemoglobin carries oxygen). The accuracy of this technique and its response time when conditions change rapidly are questioned. Pulse oximetry is also subject to certain artifacts. The method has not been shown to improve decision-making, or affect patient morbidity and mortality. Additional methods for determining arterial and venous blood gases are discussed. Evaluation of the function of the respiratory centers (the brain areas that modulate respiration) focuses on respiratory drive (the intensity of the contribution of the centers). Respiratory muscles, the mechanical aspects of breathing, the breathing pattern, and the amount of exhaled carbon dioxide can also be monitored. In general, the respiratory monitors used in intensive care units have not really shown that they save lives or money. Combined with careful physical examination, however, they improve understanding of the patient's disease, and better methods may be developed. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Methods, Equipment and supplies, Patient monitoring, Physiologic monitoring, Respiratory intensive care

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Respiratory diphtheria caused by Corynebacterium ulcerans - Terre Haute, Indiana, 1996

Article Abstract:

A 54-year-old woman was admitted to a hospital with vomiting, difficulty breathing and inability to swallow. Examination of her throat revealed a membrane covering her tonsils and she was diagnosed with respiratory diphtheria. She received diphtheria antitoxin and antibiotics and was discharged several days later. Throat swabs were sent to the CDC, which used the polymerase chain reaction to confirm the diagnosis. The organism isolated was Corynebacterium ulcerans, a species related to the organism that usually causes diphtheria.

Case studies, Diphtheria

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Respiratory Syncytial Virus Activity--United States, 1999-2000 Season

Article Abstract:

Widespread outbreaks of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection began during the week of October 30, 1999, and continued for 26 weeks, until the week of March 25, 2000. Preliminary data for the winter of 2000-2001 show that RSV outbreaks began in the week of November 4, 2000.

Statistical Data Included, Statistics, Respiratory syncytial virus infection

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