9.4 Management of acute respiratory distress syndrome in adults

Standards

Measures

More than 95% of patients must have an accurate height measured on admission, to calculate ideal body weight and appropriate tidal volumes.

• Measurement of height.

Over 95% of patients with or at risk of ARDS must be ventilated at tidal volumes of up to 6 ml/kg ideal body weight.

• Tidal volume.

Over 95% of patients with or at risk of ARDS must be ventilated at plateau airway pressures 30 cm H2O or lower.

• Plateau airway pressures.