Abstract
The National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP) believes that noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) is an important treatment modality for the prehospital management of acute dyspnea. This document is the official position of the NAEMSP.
Key words: :
Emergency medical services (EMS) providers often care for patients with acute dyspnea. For prehospital patients with severe respiratory distress, noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) may provide a therapeutic option, potentially averting the need for endotracheal intubation or other advanced airway intervention. The National Association of EMS Physicians believes that:
NIPPV is an important prehospital treatment modality for acute dyspnea.
EMS agencies should select NIPPV systems and develop dyspnea care protocols suited to their patient populations, clinical capabilities, and receiving emergency department's resources.
EMS agencies must conduct quality assurance and inspection efforts to verify the safety and effectiveness of NIPPV.