The use of manual hyperinflation by physiotherapists in South Africa during the treatment of respiratory compromised patients in intensive care

Abstract

The objectives were to determine whether or not manual hyperinflation (MHI) is used as a treatment technique by physiotherapists on respiratory compromised patients in intensive care units (ICU), to determine physiotherapists‟ knowledge on the use of MHI (indications, contra-indications, treatment effect) as a treatment technique on respiratory compromised patients in ICU, to compare the physiotherapists‟ knowledge on the use of MHI to their utilisation of MHI in ICU, and to determine whether the effect of clinical experience has an influence on physiotherapists‟ decision making regarding the use of MHI in the ICU setting. The last objective was to investigate whether the working environment has an influence on the utilisation of MHI by physiotherapists practicing in adult ICUs in South Africa.