Effects of Noninvasive Mechanical Ventilation in COVID-19 Patients

The aim of this study was to examine the results of NIMV applied with a full face mask in COVID-19 patients. A descriptive and cross-sectional study. The study was conducted in the 1st level COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit of a university training and research hospital between August 15 and November 15, 2021. The study included 31 critical care patients who agreed to participate in the study and met the sampling criteria. The data was collected by the third researcher using the questionnaire based on the literature. The mean age of patients was 68.90±9.97 (41-82) years. In the measurements before NIMV, after the first application and after 24-h, a statistically significant difference was found between measurements in terms of SpO₂ scores (p<0.001). In venous blood gas measurements before and 24-h after NIMV, a statistically significant difference was found between the measurements in terms of PCO₂ scores (p<0.05). The study findings showed that NIMV was effective in terms of SpO₂ and venous PCO₂ scores in COVID-19 patients. It can be used as an effective option in the management of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure in COVID-19 patients.