The Effect of Adjustment of Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) and Fraction of Inspired Oxygen (FiO2) Based on Arterial Blood Oxygen Pressure on the Care and Treatment Outcomes of Patients in Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

One of the problems of the treatment system is the high mortality and length stay of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), which has high costs. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of adjustment of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) based on PaO2 on the care and treatment outcomes of ICU patients.

This was a randomized clinical trial study in which the statistical population consisted of all patients admitted to the ICU of Imam Khomeini hospital in Ahvaz, Iran, in the second half of 2020. 40 samples were selected based on available sampling method, and randomly divided into two groups of intervention and control. To collect the data, a demographic information questionnaire as well as Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scoring system were used. In the intervention group, adjustment of PEEP and FiO2 was performed based on PaO2 of patients in 7 days.

There was no difference between the two groups in terms of demographic variables. The mean scores of disease severity before intervention in the two groups were not statistically different; but after the intervention, disease severity score, duration of ventilator connection, and length of ICU stay were significantly lower in the intervention group.

The adjustment of PEEP and FiO2 based on PaO2 is effective in reducing the disease severity score, duration of ventilator connection, and ICU stay. It should be used as a nursing intervention in coordination with treatment team to reduce the consequences of hospitalization in ICU.