Prospective evaluation of a decision support system providing advice on ventilator settings of: inspiratory oxygen, delivered pressure or volume, frequency and peep

Introduction Management of mechanical ventilation is complex. Guidelines to aid in managing settings may fail to adapt general goals to the individual patient physiology. The Beacon Caresystem (Mermaid Care, Denmark) is a commercial version of a physiological-model based system for advising on mechanical ventilation (1). Mathematical models are tuned to patient measurements allowing advice to be patient specific. Beacon 5 provides advice for control and support modes of ventilation, with advice on: inspiratory oxygen (FiO2); inspiratory pressure (PS/PC) or tidal volume (Vt); Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and, in control modes, respiratory frequency (Rf).