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Heliox101

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Helium and oxygen gas mixtures, commonly referred to as heliox, carry medications deeper and faster into the lungs when compared to oxygen or room air. This important property allows medication to get into the lungs quickly for patients with severe asthma attacks.

Checklist for Respiratory Therapists for Heliox Driven Albuterol Nebulization Setup for Severe Asthma Exacerbations

10/19/2013 13:10

Checklist for Respiratory Therapists for Heliox Driven Albuterol Nebulization Setup for Severe Asthma Exacerbations

 

  1. We recommend pre-building a circuit to have on stand-by (like a ventilator) for true emergencies such as respiratory failure
  2. Also, we recommend having different sized non-rebreather face masks readily available for patients of varying size and age.

 

  1. Start patient on standard albuterol nebulization driven by oxygen to give yourself time to set up circuit (3-5 minutes)
  2. Check to see if 70:30 heliox tank is at least half full
  3. You may need wrench to tighten connections
  4. Change heliox tank if less than a ¼ full (Low tank pressure can affect flow and nebulization)
  5. Touch tank with hand to see if heliox tank is at room temperature
  6. Fill large volume albuterol nebulizer (~ 6 hrs of nebulization)
  7. Use non-rebreather face mask (snug fit, age appropriate)
  8. Plug high pressure green line into wall oxygen
  9. Plug high pressure yellow line into 70% helium: 30% oxygen heliox tank
  10. Dial blender to 50% to start the mixture at 50% helium: 50% oxygen to see if patient tolerates well, pulse oximetry >91%.
  11. If patient can talk or cry, listen to hear high pitched phonation. If no phonation change, recheck circuit.
  12. If tolerates after 5 minutes titrate helium and dial blender to 40% (60% helium: 40% oxygen)
  13. If tolerates after 5 minutes titrate helium and dial blender to 30% (70% helium: 30% oxygen)
  14. Reassess patient as you would on continuous albuterol nebulization
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