PEDIATRIC PACO2, PO2 AND CARDIAC OUTPUT HOME MONITOR

WITH THE INCREASING NUMBER OF PREMATURE INFANTS SURVIVING TO REACH BPD UNITS, ONE WONDERS HOW LONG THE SYSTEM CAN SURVIVE THE EXTREMELY HIGH COST OF LONG TERM CARE (ABOUT $700,000/YEAR IN THE BPD UNIT AND $300,000/YEAR FOR HOME CARE). ONE POSSIBLE ANSWER IS RELIABLE MONITORING OF PHYSIOLOGICAL VARIABLES WHICH PERMIT 1) MORE EFFECTIVE RESPIRATORY MANAGEMENT AND 2) MANAGEMENT BY LESS SOPHISTICATED CARE GIVERS (INCLUDING PARENTS), WHICH COULD HAVE A LARGE IMPACT TOWARD MOVING PATIENTS TO HOME CARE MUCH EARLIER AS WELL AS FURTHER REDUCING THE COST OF HOME CARE. HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE UNAVAILABILITY OF NEEDED NON-INVASIVE MONITORING (PACO2 IN PARTICULAR), AND THE LACK OF REASONABLE ACCESS TO ARTERIAL BLOOD, THESE PATIENTS ARE MANAGED ON VENTILATORS IN THE HOSPITAL AND LATER IN THE HOME WITHOUT ACCESS TO THE GUIDANCE NORMALLY PROVIDED BY PACO2 (AS WELL AS PO2 AND C.O.) MONITORING. THIS GRANT ADDRESSES THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NON-INVASIVE PACO2,