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The evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionised numerous aspects of our daily lives, with profound implications across various sectors, including healthcare. Although the concept of AI in healthcare was introduced in the early 1970s, the integration of this technology in healthcare is still in the evolution phase. Despite barriers, the current decade is witnessing an increased utility of AI into diverse specialities of the medical field to enhance precision medicine, predict diagnosis, therapeutic results, and prognosis; this includes respiratory medicine, critical care, and in their allied specialties. AI algorithms are widely studied in areas like mechanical ventilation, sleep medicine, lung ultrasound, and pulmonary function diagnostics and the results are found to be promising. The quality of patient care and safety can be greatly enhanced if respiratory care professionals fully understand the concept and importance of AI, as they are already incorporating various aspects of this technology into their clinical practice. Awareness of AI in the clinical field is essential during this phase; hence, it is desirable to establish widely accepted standards presented in a clear and accessible language. This article aims to describe the existing and prospective role of AI in the field of respiratory care and allied areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Health care professionals (HCPs) performing tracheostomies in patients with COVID-19 may be at increased risk of infection. Objective: To evaluate factors underlying HCPs' COVID-19 infection and determine whether tracheostomy providers report increased rates of infection. Methods: An anonymous international survey examining factors associated with COVID-19 infection was made available November 2020 through July 2021 to HCPs at a convenience sample of hospitals, universities, and professional organizations. Infections reported were compared between HCPs involved in tracheostomy on patients with COVID-19 and HCPs who were not involved. Results: Of the 361 respondents (from 33 countries), 50% (n = 179) had performed tracheostomies on patients with COVID-19. Performing tracheostomies on patients with COVID-19 was not associated with increased infection in either univariable (P =.06) or multivariable analysis (odds ratio, 1.48; 95% CI, 0.90–2.46; P =.13). Working in a low- or middle-income country (LMIC) was associated with increased infection in both univariable (P <.001) and multivariable analysis (odds ratio, 2.88; CI, 1.50–5.53; P =.001). Conclusions: Performing tracheostomy was not associated with COVID-19 infection, suggesting that tracheostomies can be safely performed in infected patients with appropriate precautions. However, HCPs in LMICs may face increased infection risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author conveys his concerns on a report on quality improvement (QI) in respiratory care education. Topics mentioned include the importance of ensuring continuous personnel training in quality measures, training of future respiratory therapy professions in QI during their undergraduate studies, and the quality and relevance of preparing the student to evolve as an efficient respiratory therapist.

The evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionised numerous aspects of our daily lives, with profound implications across various sectors, including healthcare. Although the concept of AI in healthcare was introduced in the early 1970s, the integration of this technology in healthcare is still in the evolution phase. Despite barriers, the current decade is witnessing an increased utility of AI into diverse specialities of the medical field to enhance precision medicine, predict diagnosis, therapeutic results, and prognosis; this includes respiratory medicine, critical care, and in their allied specialties. AI algorithms are widely studied in areas like mechanical ventilation, sleep medicine, lung ultrasound, and pulmonary function diagnostics and the results are found to be promising. The quality of patient care and safety can be greatly enhanced if respiratory care professionals fully understand the concept and importance of AI, as they are already incorporating various aspects of this technology into their clinical practice. Awareness of AI in the clinical field is essential during this phase; hence, it is desirable to establish widely accepted standards presented in a clear and accessible language. This article aims to describe the existing and prospective role of AI in the field of respiratory care and allied areas., Competing Interests: MS was employed by Chest Research & Training Pvt Ltd. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (© 2024 Karthika, Sreedharan, Shevade, Mathew and Ray.)