35 → 3

Average Transports Out/Year
After Vapotherm

Care Area: 10-Bed Level II Nursery

Setting: Community Hospital

Location: Greater Phoenix Metro

Deliveries per Year: 1,700 (approx.)

*This is a story about one community hospital’s positive experience using Vapotherm’s Hi-VNI® Technology. Although individual results may vary, Vapotherm believes this story is a powerful testimonial in support of the use of Hi-VNI Technology on patients experiencing the symptoms of respiratory distress.
Graph

Before Vapotherm

This community hospital supports approximately 1,700 live births per year.

The center had a policy guideline that infants requiring pressure support beyond initial recruitment breaths were considered for transport to a Level III NICU.

Dr. Michael McQueen, the NICU Medical Director at this hospital, believed that NICU transports out can result in lower family satisfaction, increased patient risk during transport, and unfavorable economics.

Clinical Use Of Vapotherm In A Level II Nursery

The development of clinical guidelines is helpful when implementing a new technology or therapy. This center staffs 24/7 neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs), which provided a strong clinical infrastructure to support the implementation of Vapotherm. The physicians provided extensive education to the staff about proper sizing of the cannula interface and clinical best practices.

Baby

Clinical Policies at This Site Include:

Cannula Size: Less than 50% occlusion of nares
Flow Rates: 2-8 L/min
Typical Starting Flow Rate: 4-6 L/min
Indication(s): Patients with symptoms associated with mild to moderate respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)
Surfactant Usage: Deliver surfactant via INSURE in case of increased FiO2 > 0.35 – 0.40 to maintain target SpO2

*Providers should refer to the full indications for use, operating instructions, and/or prescribing information of any products referenced in these guidelines and exercise their independent medical judgment before prescribing any products referenced in these guidelines.

Graph

Results after Vapotherm

Vapotherm was implemented in September 2010. The hospital purchased 3 Precision Flow units in 2010 and currently owns 5 units dedicated to the 10-bed Level II NICU. The team utilized Precision Flow to manage symptoms associated with mild to moderate infant respiratory distress syndrome. Dr. McQueen reported the nursing staff indicated an increase in professional satisfaction.

In the four years before implementing Vapotherm, the hospital transported an average of 35 babies per year. In 2011, the first full year of using Vapotherm Hi-VNI Technology, the hospital transported 3 babies out to a tertiary center. The result is greater than an 80% reduction in transports, allowing moms, families, and babies to stay together in their community after birth.

A Word from the NICU Medical Director, Dr. Mike McQueen

Precision Flow System

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