Therapist-driven protocols for adult non-intensive care unit patients. Availability and efficacy.

As the growth of TDPs increases throughout the country, the need to evaluate the efficacy of TDPs becomes paramount. For TDPs to become a standard of practice they must respond adequately to their intended purpose. TDPs must reduce the amount of misallocation of respiratory services without compromising quality care. As the reduction of misallocation occurs, the results should show a reduction in department and patient costs. Protocols are not new to the medical community, but their need and use for respiratory care has increased. Preliminary studies thus far suggest that the use of TDPs can lessen misallocation of care without adverse events, and with the use of TDPs the number of respiratory modalities and the cost associated with these therapies have decreased. Further examinations of the efficacy of TDPs must be ongoing, however, in order to ensure that these preliminary studies truly reflect the outcomes of the use of TDPs.