Towards An Improved Understanding Of The Effect Of A Speaking Valve On Lung Volumes And Communication In The Critically Ill Tracheostomised Patient
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$45,795.00
Summary
Patients that require life support in intensive care often have breathing tubes in their neck. This means they are generally left without a voice for days, weeks, even months. Speaking valves meant for talking are not used much due to fears of harm to the lungs. Our study is looking at how much air is in the lungs when using this valve. Data so far suggest that the valve is in fact helping the lungs. The outcomes of this study may lead to most of these critically ill patients having a voice.