Best Clinical Practice and Evidence-Based Assessment in Pediatric Ventilation Support

Among issues most frequently raised when examining long-proposed methods for which evidence-based demonstration is lacking, one frequently hears the following questions: why do the so-called “novel” methodologies have to strive for evidence-based recognition? And why are only “technical” side effects studied, irrespective of patient outcomes and of the real benefits these methods could deliver? From such preliminary observations, it would be logical to ask about the validity of applying treatments and methods the risks and safety of which cannot be known with any reasonable amount of certainty a priori, in the absence of a clear evidence-based demonstration, and for the purpose of carrying out research and trials—even if only limited samples of patients are used. Unfortunately, we have all bitterly experienced that certain treatments claiming to be safe and effective have proved to be hazardous and harmful to patients in real life (to name but one, the use of thalidomide in pregnancy and the severe birth defects that later affected the newborns).