Ballard et al reported the respiratory severity score (RSS) for evaluating preterm neonates undergoing mechanical ventilation. It is based on the oxygenation index and is used when the arterial oxygen level is not readily accessible. The authors are from multiple institutions from around the United States participating in the NO CLD Study Group.
Patient selection: preterm neonate on mechanical ventilation
Parameters:
(1) mean airway pressure in cm water
(2) FIO2 as decimal fraction (from 0.21 to 1.00)
respiratory severity score =
= (mean airway pressure) * (FIO2)
Interpretation:
• Accordiing to Gupta the RSS is between 1 and 21.
• A severity index of 3.5 corresponds to an oxygenation index between 5 and 9.
The RSS was used because the PaO2 was not available. The oxygen saturation index uses SpO2 instead of PaO2 and would be an alternative.
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