From the Guidelines
The recommended frequency for ordering incentive spirometry is as needed for postoperative patients at high risk for pneumonia.
Incentive Spirometry Frequency
- The frequency of incentive spirometry is not explicitly stated in the provided evidence, but it is recommended for use in postoperative patients at high risk for pneumonia 1.
- The American College of Physicians guideline recommends deep breathing exercises or incentive spirometry for patients at higher risk for postoperative pulmonary complications, but does not specify a frequency 1.
- In clinical practice, incentive spirometry is often used as needed to encourage patients to take deep breaths and improve lung expansion, particularly after surgery.
- The goal of incentive spirometry is to prevent postoperative pulmonary complications such as atelectasis and pneumonia, and its use should be individualized based on patient risk factors and clinical status.
- High-risk patients, such as those undergoing abdominal surgery, thoracic surgery, or neurosurgery, may benefit from more frequent use of incentive spirometry 1.
From the Research
Recommended Frequency for Ordering Incentive Spirometry
- The frequency for ordering incentive spirometry is not explicitly stated in the provided studies, but we can look at the usage protocols mentioned in the studies to get an idea of the recommended frequency.
- According to the study 2, most health care professionals believed that incentive spirometry should be used every hour, with an average of 9.6 breaths per session.
- The study 3 mentions that patients in the spirometry group took 10 maximal inspirations using an incentive spirometer every two hours between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. and while awake during the night until the chest pain subsided.
- The study 4 instructed patients to complete the incentive spirometry exercise three times a day for 30 days.
- It's worth noting that the study 2 also found that there was a lack of standardization and evidence for specific use procedures, and that health care professionals' beliefs about incentive spirometry use may not be supported by clinical effectiveness data 2.
Usage Protocols
- The studies suggest that incentive spirometry can be used to improve lung function and prevent pulmonary complications, but the optimal usage protocol is not clearly established.
- The study 2 found that most health care professionals believed that incentive spirometry should be used routinely preoperatively and postoperatively, but the frequency and duration of use varied.
- The study 5 found that the use of an incentive spirometer reminder device (SpiroTimer™) improved patient compliance and outcomes, but the study did not specify the optimal frequency for ordering incentive spirometry.