Helpful Videos

Critical Care Resources from Trauma Yellow

Notes for Survival

Mechanical Ventilation (MV)

  • Settings are sometimes reported using the following shorthand: Mode (AC vs PC vs PS) / Rate / Tidal Volume / PEEP / FiO2

  • While you may see the settings documented in this format (e.g., AC/500/10/5/100), it is best practice to include the abbreviation of the settings. For example: AC / Vt 500 / RR 10 / PEEP 5 / FiO2 100%

  • How to read a ventilator screen

Non Invasive Ventilation (NIV)

Positive Airway Pressure (PAP)

BiPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure)

  • Offers 2 levels of PAP

    • Inspiratory airway pressure (IPAP)

    • Expiratory airway pressure (EPAP)

  • As a shorthand, the IPAP and EPAP settings are sometimes reported as IPAP/EPAP, however it is best practice to write out the settings. For example, IPAP 12/EPAP 6 rather than just 12/6.

  • Hint: The IPAP is always a larger number than the EPAP

  • Machine settings: IPAP, EPAP, Rate, and FiO2

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)

  • Delivers a single continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)

  • Machine settings: CPAP, FiO2

Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)

  • Sometimes reported using the following shorthand: pH / pCO2 / pO2 / Bicarb

  • After reporting the ABG results, always specify whether the patient was breathing on room air (RA) or receiving supplemental oxygen during the ABG draw. Include the method of oxygen delivery if applicable:

    • If they are on nasal canula (NC), high flow nasal canula (HFNC), or Ventimask, make sure to document the flow rate. For example: 3L NC.

    • If they are on non invasive ventilation (e.g., BiPAP or CPAP) make sure to document the relevant settings as described above.

    • If they are on mechanical ventilation (MV), document the settings as described above.