Nasal canula help

[haikumama]

For those of you with canula experience - how high of a flow can you do? Does it matter if it's humidified? I don't have a set up for moist air through the cannula, though I might be able to rig one if I know the supplies.

Ike has been diagnosed with RSV and possible viral pneumonia. We are trying to stay out of the big H, but I don't know if we're winning that battle right now.

I have him on 2.5 liters through the concentrator and am having trouble keeping him above 90. Can I turn it up? I have a call into the pulmo. He's not feverish, and is wanting to play a little and eat a little. We've never had RSV or pneumonia before, though, and it's scaring me. He's also not needed o2 since the reconstruction and decan in August, so through the nose o2 is a whole new baseline for me to figure out.

thanks, as always, for your help...
Kari

[kadiera]

FWIW, Alexander was on 2 liters before his trach. I know adults who have been on more than 5 liters. It might be enough to run a humidifier in his room.

RSV sucks - Alexander got it about 7 weeks after his initial NICU discharge (in *May* - who the heck gets RSV in May? We must be really special). He was in the PICU twice, but in both cases it was only 3-4 days - he was on a vent full time, we had nursing at home, he didn't need a ton of extra oxygen above his normal needs, so what else could they do for him in the hospital?

All that said though, it was just like a bad cold. Humidity, fluids, suctioning....those were the big things. Alexander was a little easily tired out, but otherwise he was fairly normal for him. Just a little extra cranky and snotty...like any other kid with a cold, you know?

[MomofTwoBoys]

Our ENT said that he wanted Hunter on humidity with a nasal cannula (if he needed O2)... he made a specific point to say room humidity was not enough. Our DME supplied a container that attaches to the concentrator (a bubbling humidifier) which we would put inhalation water in, then attach the nasal cannula to it. You should be able to go up to 10L with the cannula, but if you need that much O2, you probably should be seen.

I hope Ike feels better... RSV/pnuemonia sounds like an icky combo :P

[bryantem]

They always used humidity for Addy when she had a cannula in the NICU. It is pretty simple. All it takes is a little bottle. I would call your DME and request some.