High-Flow Oxygen Therapy Concepts: Time to Standardize Nomenclature and Avoid Confusion. (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Miller, David C.; Bime, Christian; Partharsarathy, Sairam; Mosier, Jarrod M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of intensive care medicine. Volume 35:Number 5(2020)
• Page Start: 519
• Page End: 523
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: high-flow oxygen -- respiratory failure -- noninvasive ventilation; Critical care medicine -- Periodicals; Critical Care -- Periodicals; Soins intensifs -- Périodiques; Soins intensifs; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 616.02805
• DOI: 10.1177/0885066620908243
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0885-0666

Abstract

High-flow nasal oxygen systems are rapidly being adopted as an initial noninvasive treatment for acute respiratory failure. However, the term "high-flow nasal cannula" is nonspecific and leads to imprecise communication between physicians, respiratory therapists, and nurses with the potential for patient harm. In this viewpoint and a brief review of the technology, we argue for a change in nomenclature in order to reduce the chance for future clinical, administrative, and research misunderstanding surrounding high-flow nasal oxygen systems.