INTEGRATED CARE IN ACUTE RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME MANAGEMENT: COLLABORATIVE ROLES IN EMERGENCY, MEDICINE, NURSING, AND RADIOLOGY

Background: The condition known as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) manifests through a quick buildup of pulmonary fluid, regardless of heart function, and extreme hypoxemia that fails to improve with typical therapies. Key characteristics involve bilateral lung opacities, decreased lung compliance, and pronounced inflammation resulting from capillary-alveolar membrane injury. ARDS can arise from direct lung insults, such as pneumonia or aspiration, or indirect factors like non-pulmonary sepsis, illustrating its diverse etiology. From a pathophysiological perspective, ARDS impairs gas exchange by compromising various lung regions, frequently resulting in pulmonary edema and exacerbated hypoxemia. Diagnosis necessitates the manifestation of symptoms within one week of a respiratory insult, identification of bilateral infiltrates via imaging, and ruling out cardiac complications. Supportive interventions, including low tidal volume ventilation and prone positioning, have been shown to enhance patient outcomes, yet mortality rates remain elevated (34–60%), often attributable to multiorgan failure. Predisposing factors encompass trauma, sepsis, and inhalation injuries, with severe manifestations associated with systemic inflammatory responses. The COVID-19 crisis has heightened the frequency of ARDS because of lung harm from pneumonia. Despite medical advancements, ARDS continues to impact approximately 150,000 individuals annually in the U.S., underscoring the need for persistent research aimed at improving treatment strategies and decreasing mortality. Objective: An overview of the Epidemiology, Prevalence, Stages, and Progression of (ARDS). Methods: A comprehensive review of acute respiratory distress syndrome. The PUBMED and Google Scholar search engines were the main databases used for the search process, with articles collected from 1997 to 2024. Conclusion: A comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach remains essential to managing this complex condition, with a focus on reducing mortality and addressing emerging challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. Keywords: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Classification, Collaboration, Laboratory, Management.