Evidence-Based Practice Recommendations

According to the American Association for Respiratory Care, when the upper airway is bypassed during invasive mechanical ventilation, humidification is necessary to prevent hypothermia, disruption of the airway epithelium, bronchospasm, atelectasis, and airway obstruction. When the upper airway is not bypassed, such as in noninvasive mechanical ventilation, active humidification is highly suggested to improve comfort.

Level of Evidence: Expert Opinion/Consensus Statement

The Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma concludes that there is no evidence to support the routine use of presumptive antibiotics for post-traumatic tube thoracostomy to decrease the incidence of pneumonia or empyema.

Level of Evidence: Expert Opinion/Consensus Statement