Hand Size and Grip Strength Effects on Volume Delivery With Two Bag Valve Mask Devices

Abstract

Background:

The Bag Valve Mask Device (BVMD) plays an important role to ventilating patients in the health care setting. There are many disposable BVMD's that are marketed for their ability to produce acceptable volume ventilations. In this experimental study two bag valve mask devices will be evaluated to determine the effect of participant's hand size and grip strength on volume delivery. The hypotheses for this study are: 1. Grip strength will affect volume delivery. 2. Hand size will affect volume delivery.

Methods:

The Institutional Review Board of Youngstown State University approved this study. Senior and junior students in the respiratory care program at YSU participated in this study. Participants' hand size (hand length and width) was measured and used to determine appropriate glove size. Instructions with the BVMD were demonstrated to the participants and repeated until good technique was observed on the Quick Lung RespiTrainer by the investigator. Grip strength was measured and recorded before and after ventilation for 5 min for BVMD-A and BVMD-B. The participants rested 30 min before procedure was repeated with BVMD-B.

Results:

Fourteen students participated in this study. Manufacturer specifications for one handed stroke volume delivery for both BVMDs are 600 mL. The volumes delivered between BVMD-A and BVMD-B did not indicate a statistical difference between the two devices. However, participants' mean volume delivery for BVMD-A was 249.78 mL and BVMD-B was 248.07 mL which is notably lower than the manufacturer's specifications. For both types of BVMD, paired t test indicated that there is a statistical difference in the grip strength for participants before and after ventilation for 5 min. For both types of BVMD, paired t test indicated that there is a statistical difference in the grip strength for participants before and after ventilation for 5 min. (P = .043 for BVMD-A and P = .023 for BVMD-B) One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) indicated that the volume delivery was affected by the glove size (P = .001) for BVMD-B, but not for BVMD-A (P =.55).

Conclusions:

This research suggests that RCPs actual volume delivery may be notably lower than manufacturer's specifications and may have an impact on tidal volume delivery. This research also suggests that grip strength decreased with time.