Perception and prevalence of utilizing APRV mode with Covid-19 cases among Respiratory Therapists in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Covid-19 is a recent pandemic that spread globally. Consequently, little research focused on Covid-19 that compared different mechanical ventilator modalities that were suitable for these cases. Investigating appropriate mechanical ventilation techniques such as APRV that control the pandemic is necessary to confront any future pandemic. RTs' beliefs and practices of utilizing mechanical ventilation during the Covid-19 pandemic are essential to establish a guideline to manage ventilated Covid-19 cases. Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the perception, prevalence, and utilization of APRV mode with Covid-19 patients among respiratory therapists in Saudi Arabia. Methods: The study utilized an online, cross-sectional survey with 29 questions administered to a convenience sample of Saudi Arabian RTs. The survey was divided into three sections to obtain information from respondents. These sections are demographic data, perceptions regarding APRV and ARDS, and the prevalence of utilizing APRV on patients with Covid-19 associated ARDS. Result: Eighty-six responses were obtained from the online survey that was sent to many respiratory therapy departments in different regions across SA. Two participants refused to participate, and n=47 (54.7%) of responders did not complete the survey, and their answers were excluded. Therefore, n=37 (43%) respondents completed the survey. The majority of respondents were male n=31 (83.8%), whereas the female accounted for n=6 (16.2%) of respondents. Most of the respondents held a bachelor's degree n=32 (86.5%), while only n=5 (13.5%) held a master's degree. There were no responders who held associate or Ph.D. degrees. The result showed there was a high level of confidence among RTs that using APRV with Covid-19 cases was effective with a mean of (2.97± 0.763). Furthermore, the results showed that RTs believed that Covid-19 associated ARDS had a similar clinical picture of non-Covid-19 associated ARDS n=28 (75.7%). A Kruskal-Wallis Test revealed no significant difference in using APRV with Covid-19 cases during the pandemic between the region of practice in Saudi Arabia, Kruskal-Wallis H=3.219, p=.395. Also, the results showed that there was no significant difference among different qualifications (p=0.875). Conclusion: The overall level of perception of APRV needs to be improved, which, in turn, can improve and strengthen the management of ARDS and respiratory disorders and increase the average survival rate in Saudi Arabia. More educational sessions and classes are required for this purpose.