Short Summary:
This study highlights the effectiveness of the Sotair device in improving manual ventilation safety and performance through an educational intervention for EMS providers.
Key Findings:
- Significantly Lower Peak Inspiratory Pressures (PIP):
- Use of the Sotair reduced PIP by 4.1 cmH₂O (19.3 ± 5.80 cmH₂O vs. 15.3 ± 2.44 cmH₂O, p < 0.0001), minimizing the risk of barotrauma and lung injury.
- Reduced Gastric Insufflation Risk: 36.5% of standard BVM breaths exceeded 20 cmH₂O, compared to only 0.25% of breaths with Sotair, demonstrating its ability to prevent excessive pressures that contribute to aspiration risks.
- Improved Ventilation Consistency: Minute ventilation was significantly lower with Sotair (6,312 cc vs. 7,550 cc), indicating better control over ventilation volumes.
- Educational Intervention Enhanced Safety: After a brief training session, 65.6% of providers had positive feedback about the educational material vs 34.4% who were neutral, reinforcing that it is relatively easy to learn how to use the Sotair and use it effectively.
Conclusion:
The Sotair device significantly enhanced manual ventilation safety, reducing peak pressures and gastric insufflation risk while ensuring more controlled and consistent ventilation. The study further validated that a brief educational intervention can maximize its effectiveness, making Sotair a very useful tool for EMS providers in improving patient outcomes.
Reference:
Varone FA, Brady MF. Development and validation of an educational intervention to improve performance with a new manual ventilation device (Sotair™). Presented at: Military Health System Research Symposium (MHSRS); 2023; Kissimmee, FL. Available at: https://mtec-sc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/SafeBVM-MHSRS-2023.pdf. Accessed March 7, 2025.
Conclusion:
The Sotair device significantly enhanced manual ventilation safety, reducing peak pressures and gastric insufflation risk while ensuring more controlled and consistent ventilation. The study further validated that a brief educational intervention can maximize its effectiveness, making Sotair a very useful tool for EMS providers in improving patient outcomes.
Reference:
Varone FA, Brady MF. Development and validation of an educational intervention to improve performance with a new manual ventilation device (Sotair™). Presented at: Military Health System Research Symposium (MHSRS); 2023; Kissimmee, FL. Available at: https://mtec-sc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/SafeBVM-MHSRS-2023.pdf. Accessed March 7, 2025.