Patients' perspective of acute non-invasive ventilation (NIV) for decompensated type 2 respiratory failure (T2RF)

Background: A proportion of patients who receive NIV for decompensated T2RF subsequently become intolerant to it. Lack of patient understanding, inadequate medical supervision and/or explanation could potentially lead to poor patient compliance with NIV. We sought to explore patients9 experience and views on acute NIV. Methods: A satisfaction questionnaire was completed by patients within 24 hours of receiving acute NIV on a respiratory ward. Results: 115 patients (65 male, median age 68) completed the study. 83% patients received NIV for 2 or more days. Patient responses are shown in table 1. NIV was stopped due to intolerance in 26 cases (mask discomfort 14, claustrophobia 9 and nausea 3). Intention to have NIV in future was not affected by ventilator pressures applied, duration of ventilation, or whether or not the patient had previously had NIV. Conclusion: A significant proportion of patients found NIV unpleasant and would refuse such treatment in future. Our data also highlights a lack of understanding of NIV by many patients receiving this therapy. Our findings have significant implications for patient education in respiratory units, as well as choice of equipment using NIV, both of which may impact on patient acceptance of therapy, and mortality.