Management of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS): clinicians' knowledge and practice

Abstract

Background: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is common in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) setting and is associated with high
mortality. Delayed diagnosis and failure to institute evidenced-based management have been associated with poor outcomes. Knowledge of the diagnostic criteria for ARDS and the adoption of recommended management practices by clinicians in the ICU is  therefore required to reduce mortality.

Objective: This study sought to assess the knowledge and current management practices of ARDS among clinicians in a surgical ICU of  the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving a purposive sample of 15 clinicians (Specialist Anaesthesiologists) who work at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital Surgical ICU. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to obtain data on the sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge and management practices of clinicians on ARDS. Clinicians' knowledge and management practices were  scored based on conformity with the ARDSnet Ventilatory Protocol. Categorical data were summarised as frequencies and proportions,  and continuous data as Mean ± standard deviation.

Results: Clinicians (Specialist Anaesthesiologists) had good knowledge about ARDS (Mean knowledge score = 21.00 ±3 .87), and their management practices were above average (Mean practice score = 8.53±2.50). The clinicians rarely (40%) or never (60%) practised prone ventilation.

Conclusion: Specialist Anaesthesiologists had good clinical knowledge of ARDS and applied appropriate management  strategies. However, prone ventilation was rarely adopted.