Successful Deployment of High Flow Nasal Cannula in a Peruvian Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Using Implementation...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric critical care
• Global health
• Implementation science

Background:

• Acute lower respiratory infections are a leading cause of mortality in children under 5 globally.
• Mechanical ventilation, while effective, is often inaccessible in low- and middle-income countries due to cost and training requirements.
• High flow nasal cannula (HFNC) presents a promising, simpler alternative for non-invasive respiratory support in pediatric respiratory failure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the implementation of HFNC for pediatric respiratory failure in a resource-limited setting.
• To apply implementation science principles to guide the scaling up of HFNC in low- and middle-income countries.
• To provide a framework for other institutions considering HFNC adoption.

Main Methods:

• Utilized implementation science methodology to introduce and scale HFNC.
• Focused on a pediatric intensive care unit in Lima, Peru.
• Reviewed the experience in the context of established implementation science principles.

Main Results:

• HFNC was introduced for pediatric respiratory failure in 2016.
• The study provides insights into overcoming barriers to HFNC implementation in resource-limited environments.
• The experience serves as a guide for future HFNC scale-up initiatives.

Conclusions:

• Implementation science offers a robust framework for integrating evidence-based interventions like HFNC into routine care.
• Successful HFNC implementation in resource-limited settings is feasible and can improve pediatric respiratory care outcomes.
• This experience can inform strategies for wider adoption of HFNC globally.