Application of constant temperature and humidity system in airway humidification for patients with mechanical ventilation after tracheotomy

Objective To investigate the effect of constant temperature and humidity system (MR850humidification system) in airway humidification for patients with mechanical ventilation after tracheotomy.Methods 60 patients with mechanical ventilation after tracheotomy were randomly divided into two groups,each with 30 cases.The experimental group used MR850 humidification system,while the control group used the normal breathing circuit system.Sputum viscosity,sputum scab,bronchial spasm,irritating cough,ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and nursing workload including the dumping of condensed water,sputum suction time and pipeline nursing were compared between two groups.Results The incidence rate of VAP was 46.67％ in the control group and 16.67％ in the experimental group,with statistically significant difference (x2 =6.24,P ＜ 0.05).The sputum suction time was (7 ± 3) s per time in the control group and (5 ±2)s per time in the experimental group,with statistically significant difference (t =3.04,P＜0.01).The incidence rate of sputum viscosity,sputum scab,bronchial spasm and irritating cough,as well as nursing workload including dumping ondensed water,adding humidification water and pipeline nursing were all lower in the experimental group than in the control group,and the differences were statisticallysignificant (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The constant temperature and humidity system is effective in airway humidification for patients with mechanical ventilation after tracheotomy,which can reduce the incidence of VAP and nursing workload,thus is worthy of popularization and application. Key words: Mechanical ventilation;  Constant temperature and humidity system;  Airway humidification;  Tracheotomy