VENTILATION has been part of the standard medical protocol to treat COVID-19 patients for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) throughout the world during the pandemic.

However, doctors are starting to notice that the lungs of COVID patients are not always presenting in the ways you would expect when suffering from ARDS. (American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine editorial on March 30 by Dr. Luciano Gattinoni)

This has led to questions about whether protocol-driven ventilator use for patients with COVID-19 could be doing more harm than good.

Royal Columbian Hospital Medical Director and critical care and infectious diseases specialist Dr. Steve Reynolds has formed a team to conduct a first-ever research study to collect data and help inform the life-saving care of patients who have been diagnosed with COVID-19.  They will monitor and record pulmonary and cardiovascular data in COVID-19 positive patients admitted to the ICU at Royal Columbian Hospital, which is one of Fraser Health’s three primary COVID-19 sites.

The data to be collected has the potential to significantly change the way COVID-19 is treated internationally and reduce the number of COVID-19 deaths worldwide. Dr. Reynolds and his team are uniquely positioned to conduct this research, with the expertise and ability to conduct this study at this crucial time.

Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation has provided $150,000 in funding towards the research initiative.