Protocol for care with High Flow Nasal Cannula in pediatric intensive care units

Abstract

Introduction: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is a noninvasive ventilation modality used in the pediatric population. Benefits are described for oxygenation, ventilation, and patient comfort, so knowing the most effective protocols is of interest. The objective is to analyze the most effective care protocols for HFNC therapy in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). The methodology is qualitative, with a systematic review design, following the proposal of Kitchenham & Charters (2007) and the PICO format, under the PRISMA 2020 document review method. Results: Weight-based HFNC protocols are associated with lower PICU utilization compared to age-based protocols. HFNC has been shown to be superior to therapeutic oxygen delivery and noninvasive ventilation in terms of reducing the risk of treatment escalation and improving clinical parameters. Conclusion: The introduction of standardized protocols has allowed for a reduction in both the duration of HFNC use and the length of stay in the ICU. However, the effectiveness of these protocols varies, so it is important to evaluate their impact in different clinical settings.