Description:

The initial fear of COVID-19 transmission to healthcare workers resulted in many choosing to avoid the use of HFNC or NIV therapy in these patients. Most of the concerns were not supported by evidence, rather lack of evidence.  This presentation will discuss the use of HFNC and NIV therapy in COVID-19 patients, and present supportive data for its use, while providing suggested parameters important for monitoring success or failure of therapy.

 

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this educational activity, the participant will be able to:

1. Discuss the initial concerns of HFNC and NIV use in COVID-19 associated respiratory failure

2. Describe what evidence exists for non-COVID-19 respiratory failure support with HFNC and NIV

3. Explain clinical concepts related to using HFNC and NIV in COVID-19 patients in respiratory failure

 

Faculty Bio:

Thomas Piraino is currently Clinical Specialist at St. Michael's Hospital Centre of Excellence in Mechanical Thomas Piraino is a Registered Respiratory Therapist working at Kingston General Hospital in Ontario, and a Research Collaborator at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto working with Dr. Laurent Brochard. He is also a Lecturer (Adjunct) for the Department of Anesthesia, Division of Critical Care at McMaster University, and is currently completing a MSc in Epidemiology.

 

He has spoken at more than 50 conferences, authored research, editorials, and textbook chapters.  He has also won a number of awards and recognitions for his contributions to respiratory care.