Reducing neuropathies between the 2020 and 2021 Covid-19 surges in a large UK intensive care unit: A quality improvement project

Abstract

Background: Peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) can be acquired by patients in intensive care unit (ICU) who are critically unwell with Covid pneumonitis. Prone position ventilation has been linked to this life-changing complication.

Aim: To reduce the occurrence and severity of PNIs for patients with Covid pneumonitis requiring prone positioning whilst sedated and ventilated in ICU.

Study design: This study is a quality improvement project that evolved over the course of the first two surges of Covid pneumonitis admissions within the ICU at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (Surge 1: March 2020-July 2020, 93 prone ventilation survivors; Surge 2: September 2020-May 2021, 309 prone ventilation survivors). Implementation of updated prone positioning guidelines that aimed to reduce the risk of PNI. This was supplemented by face-to-face teaching for ICU professionals. The number of patients who sustained PNI and the severity of such injuries were recorded.

Results: During the first surge 21 patients (22.6%) had at least one high grade PNI. During the second surge there were 12 patients (3.9%) sustaining an intermediate or high grade PNI. For PNI patients, there was an increase in the mean proning episodes (6-13) and duration (17.8-18.6 h). This represents an 82% reduction in PNI cases. High grade injuries reduced from 14/21 (66%) to 4/12 (33%).

Conclusions: Optimizing the position of patients in the prone position in ICU with Covid pneumonitis may be key in reducing the development of PNI. Changes to pharmacological management may have influenced the results seen in this study.

Relevance to clinical practice: Clinicians working within ICU with acutely unwell patients with Covid pneumonitis should acknowledge the heightened risk of PNI and take relevant steps to reduce the risk of injury acquisition.