Pustestøtte

Pustestøtte is a Norwegian term for interventions and technologies that provide breathing support to patients with insufficient ventilation or gas exchange. It ranges from supplemental oxygen to various forms of ventilatory assistance and is used in hospitals, emergency services, and home care.

Types of pustestøtte include non-invasive methods such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP), high-flow nasal oxygen therapy, and non-invasive ventilation, as well as invasive ventilation delivered through an endotracheal tube or tracheostomy. Oxygen therapy may be administered by nasal cannula, simple face mask, or reservoir mask.

Indications include acute respiratory failure, COPD or other chronic lung disease exacerbations, perioperative support, sleep-disordered breathing, and during weaning from more advanced ventilation.

How it works: pustestøtte delivers oxygen, maintains airway patency with positive pressure, or assists inspiratory effort, thereby reducing the work of breathing and improving gas exchange.

Equipment and care: typical devices include oxygen concentrators or tanks, masks or nasal prongs, CPAP/BiPAP machines, ventilators, and humidifiers. Management requires medical supervision, monitoring of vital signs and blood gases, and attention to humidification, skin care, and circuit hygiene. Risks include infection, pressure injuries, mucosal dryness, barotrauma, and volutrauma.

See also: Oxygen therapy; Mechanical ventilation; Non-invasive ventilation.