A Randomized Controlled Trial of an iPad for Patient Communication During Mechanical Ventilation

The Investigators will randomize patients to either an iPad application available for communication or usual care. An existing iPad communication application (Proloquo2Go) that allows picture or text to voice communication was tailored to needs of adult mechanically ventilated (MV) patient. In the tailored application, common messages for an adult MV population are depicted on picture tiles organized into folders. When patients touch a picture tile either additional message options appear or a phrase or word is spoken by the device. Access to a pop-up keyboard on each screen allows patients to easily type unique text to voice messages.

Intervention: Patients will be randomized to either an iPad with the tailored communication application or usual care. Patients randomized to the iPad group will be given a brief introduction to the communication application and then will be asked to communicate four messages to verify understanding. Patients who are unable to successfully use the iPad with the initial introduction will remain in the study. Research staff will continue to assist the patient daily and a speech language pathologist will be consulted to facilitate the patients ability to use the device. The iPad will remain at the bedside to be used for communication as desired for the remainder of the time the patient is on the ventilator. A manual providing instruction for the iPad and application operation will be at the bedside of all patients randomized to the intervention group. Research staff will visit patients daily to assist with any problems encountered and will also be available by phone to assist as needed. Although patients will be encouraged to use the iPad for communication, use of other strategies or tools will not be restricted.