Management of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome  (ARDS): clinicians' knowledge and practice:

Esther Brobbey; Rose  Aning; Robert  Djagbletey; George  Aryee; Dorothy H  Bendah; Rodger G  Okpara

doi:10.46829/hsijournal.2023.12.4.2.519-524

Esther Brobbey Department of Respiratory Therapy, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
Rose Aning Department of Respiratory Therapy, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
Robert Djagbletey Department of Anaesthesia, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
George Aryee Department of Anaesthesia, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
Dorothy H Bendah Department of Respiratory Therapy, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
Rodger G Okpara Department of Respiratory Therapy, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46829/hsijournal.2023.12.4.2.519-524

Keywords: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), Mechanical Ventilation, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Prone Ventilation

Abstract

Background: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is common in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) setting and is associated with high mortality. Delayed diagnosis and failure to institute evidenced-based management have been associated with poor outcomes. Knowledge of the diagnostic criteria for ARDS and the adoption of recommended management practices by clinicians in the ICU is therefore required to reduce mortality.
Objective: This study sought to assess the knowledge and current management practices of ARDS among clinicians in a surgical ICU of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving a purposive sample of 15 clinicians (Specialist Anaesthesiologists) who work at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital Surgical ICU. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to obtain data on the sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge and management practices of clinicians on ARDS. Clinicians' knowledge and management practices were scored based on conformity with the ARDSnet Ventilatory Protocol. Categorical data were summarised as frequencies and proportions, and continuous data as Mean ± standard deviation.
Results: Clinicians (Specialist Anaesthesiologists) had good knowledge about ARDS (Mean knowledge score = 21.00 ±3 .87), and their management practices were above average (Mean practice score = 8.53±2.50). The clinicians rarely (40%) or never (60%) practised prone ventilation.
Conclusion: Specialist Anaesthesiologists had good clinical knowledge of ARDS and applied appropriate management strategies. However, prone ventilation was rarely adopted