International Survey of Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy Management of Adult Intensive Care Unit Patients and the Impact of COVID-19

Objectives: The aim of this study was to report on the cardiorespiratory assessments, interventions, and outcome measures used by physical therapists with critically ill patients and the impact of COVID-19. Design: An anonymous international online survey of practice (through Google Forms) of physical therapists was conducted. Setting: The study was conducted in adult intensive care units. Participants: A total of 309 physical therapists participated in the study. Interventions: A survey was used to determine current cardiopulmonary physical therapy practices in ICU. Results: Predominantly participants were female (74%), aged 31 to 40 years (40%), having worked in intensive care unit (ICU) for either 0 to 5 years (38%) or 11 to 20 years (28%), and worked full time (72%). Most participants worked in the United Kingdom (36%), Europe (21%), or Australia/Oceania (18%). The 3 most frequently reported assessment indicators for cardiopulmonary physical therapy interventions were lobar collapse/atelectasis, audible secretions, and decreased/added lung auscultation sounds. The 3 most commonly used outcome measures included lung auscultation, arterial blood gas analysis, and transcutaneous arterial saturation. The 3 most commonly used physical therapy interventions (“very often” in a descending order) included patient mobilization, repositioning to optimize gas exchange, and endotracheal suctioning. For the COVID-19 cohort, participants reported similar use of patient repositioning to optimize gas exchange and postural drainage, and lower use of patient mobilization and endotracheal suctioning, deep breathing exercises, active cycle of breathing technique, and oropharyngeal suctioning. Conclusion: This survey reports on the characteristics of physical therapists who work in ICU, and their cardiopulmonary physical therapy assessments, interventions, and outcome measures most commonly used, inclusive of patients with COVID-19. There were some differences in interventions provided to the COVID-19 cohort compared with the non–COVID-19 cohort.