Abstract
BACKGROUND: Lung injury resulting from diffuse pulmonary interstitial and other lung-related complications is a significant contributor to poor prognosis and mortality in patients with critical neurological diseases. To enhance patient outcomes, it is essential to investigate a lung protection model that involves the collaboration of doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals. METHODS: Patients receiving different care styles were divided into two groups: routine care (RC) and lung function protection care (LFPC). The LFPC group included airway and posture management, sedation and analgesia management, positive end-expiratory pressure titration in ventilation management, and fluid volume management, among others. Statistical analysis methods, such as chi-square, were used to compare the incidence of acute lung injury (ALI), neurogenic pulmonary edema (NPE), ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and length of stay between the RC and LFPC groups. RESULTS: The RC group included 68 patients (33 males; 34-74 years of age). The LFPC group included 60 patients (29 males; 37-73 years of age). Compared with the RC group, the LFPC group had lower occurrence rates of ALI (20.0 % vs. 38.2 %, P = 0.024), NPE (8.3 % vs. 23.5 %, P = 0.021), VAP (8.3 % vs. 25.0 %, P = 0.013), and ARDS (1.7 % vs. 16.2 %, P = 0.015). The length of hospital stay was shorter in the LFPC group than in the RC group (11.3 ± 3.5 vs. 14.3 ± 4.4 days, P = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The physician-nurse integrated lung protection care model proved to be effective in improving outcomes, reducing complications, and shortening the hospital stay length for neurocritical patients.