Comparing trends in the use and outcomes of non invasive ventilation (NIV) in a general intensive care unit

Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients receiving NIV for the first time at any stage of their ICU admission between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2014. Patients were divided into 3 groups: decompensated respiratory failure (DRF) (pH< 7.35 + pCO2>6KPa preNIV), non-decompensated respiratory failure (NDRF) (pH>7.35 or PCO2< 6Kpa pre-NIV) or post extubation. For each patient, the indication and duration of NIV was recorded along with important outcomes that included requirement and duration of mechanical ventilation (MV), length of ICU stay and survival to ICU discharge.