Diurnal and nocturnal shifts do not influence non-invasive ventilation outcome.

AIM: The aim of this study was to assess if diurnal or nocturnal shifts were independent risk factors for non-invasive ventilation (NIV) failure. METHODS: This was an observational study carried out on 18 patients of the general Intensive Care Unit in Rome. A total number of 189 consecutive patients needing mechanical ventilation for respiratory failure were prospectively enrolled: 82 were treated with NIV as a first line intervention. Of the 107 patients who were initially intubated, 59 patients were extubated; once extubation failed they were treated with NIV. NIV failure was assessed during both the day (between 7 am and 10 pm) and night shifts (between 10 pm and 7 am). RESULTS: Of the 141 total patients who received NIV, 51 experienced failure during the day shifts and 18 during the night shifts. No difference in the median day and night shift TISS-28 values were observed in any patients who failed NIV during both day and night shifts. Causes of NIV failure were similar during both diurnal and nocturnal shifts. The inability to correct gas exchanges was the main reason for failure. CONCLUSION: In a center with NIV expertise, notwithstanding nurse understaffing, diurnal and nocturnal shifts did not affect the rate of NIV failure.