Description:
Project ID: D2017-40
Background
Mechanical ventilators are used to help patients breathe, but there are significant risks associated with its use, such as longer hospital stays and increased mortality risk. The CDC developed a set of surveillance definitions that contribute to benchmarking the quality of care for ventilated patients. Ventilator associated events (VAE) are subdivided into three categories, including ventilated associated condition (VAC), infection-related ventilated associated condition (IVAC), and ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP). The National Health Safety Network (NHSN) has created a VAE calculator that can assist physicians in making VAE categorizations. However, these tools do not take into account the clinical environment. Therefore, there is need for a clinical calculator that can incorporate the clinical environment into the risk assessment.
Invention Description
The researchers at University of Toledo have identified significant factors that determine risk of VAE among mechanically ventilated patients. The factors were incorporated into a VAE clinical risk calculator that can quantitatively show the risk associated with a decision or series of decisions. Using this novel application, patients can be optimally managed in a timely manner to avert potential complications while using a ventilator.
Applications
• Assessment of VAE risk
• High-risk patients are identified and appropriate extra preventative measures can be used
Advantages
• Incorporates the clinical environment into risk analysis
• Risk can be assessed for variable lengths of time (3-30 days)
• Lower threshold of suspicion of VAE
IP Status: Patent pending