Bedside Ultrasound of the Diaphragm to Guide Respiratory Muscle Training in the ICU

Overview

The diaphragm is susceptible to impaired function when exposed to elements such as severe illness and prolonged ventilation support. For a portion of ICU patients, this impairment will be so significant as to interfere with weaning a patient from mechanical ventilation.

Physiotherapists are uniquely positioned to bring value to the management of weaning these patients. Their knowledge of muscle dysfunction as well as exercise prescription makes for a very complementary combination. Bedside ultrasound provides a tool to improve the effectiveness of bedside assessment; to be more timely and more specific in appraising the contractive nature and movement of this prime muscle of ventilation. This influences more timely intervention to maximize this muscle’s function and improve the success of weaning from ventilation.

Join the Cardiorespiratory Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) and presenter Judy Kay to learn about the benefit of bedside ultrasound of the diaphragm to guide respiratory muscle training in the ICU.

Speaker: Judy Kay

Judy Kay is the Clinical Practice Leader for Cardio-respiratory at St. Clare’s Site of Eastern Health in St. John’s.

Judy graduated from Queen’s University, Kingston, ON and has a Master of Employment Relations from MUN 2016. Has given presentations on respiratory assessment and   management both provincially and nationally. She has been presenting respiratory assessment and management courses provincially and nationally since 2000.

As a member of the Cardiorespiratory Division of the CPA, she has ongoing involvement with national cardiorespiratory issues, including participation with the Specialization pilot project in 2010. She achieved the Clinical Specialist designation for Cardiorespiratory in 2012; 1 of the first 3 PTs in Canada to successfully complete the program for this area. Presents at national Congresses on a regular basis, including this past July 2023 at the CPA Congress in Quebec City.