RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Patient and health care providers (HCP) perception of benefits and future use of acute non-invasive ventilation (NIV) JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP P4761 VO 42 IS Suppl 57 A1 April Thompson A1 Swapna Mandal A1 Nicholas Hart A1 Craig Davidson YR 2013 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P4761.abstract AB Introduction:Published data indicate that poor tolerance of acute NIV adversely affects adherence resulting in treatment failure. However, data reporting patient perception of benefits and future use are limited.Methods:Patients requiring acute NIV admitted to high dependency unit were included. Visual analogue scores for patient and HCP perceptions of NIV comfort, tolerance and benefit were recorded. At 6 weeks, patient recollections of their experience were obtained.Results:42 patients participated, 57% female (age 68.8±12.9 years); mean duration use 6.6±16.5 days, exacerbation of COPD constituting 75%. 6-week data were obtained in 73.8% (31/42) of patients, 22% (7/31) were unable to recall their experience of NIV, whereas 29% (9/31) recall panic, 22% (7/31) fear and 29% (9/31) poor mask satisfaction. 74% (23/31) agreed to use NIV in the future. There was a significant improvement in patient-reported comfort between initiation and cessation of NIV, and a significant discrepancy between patient and HCP reported comfort and tolerance (Figure 1).Conclusion:Approximately half of patients recollected panic and fear and almost a third mask discomfort. Despite this, almost three-quarters would use NIV again. A wide variability between patient and HCP perceptions of comfort and tolerability was observed. Better techniques are required to measure patient comfort to enhance tolerability of acute NIV.