Nurses are often in the best position to detect any breathing problems in patients. This paper describes the mechanisms of respiration, the reasons why respiratory difficulties can develop and explains how problems can be detected and alleviated. It includes a series of reflective exercises that aim to enhance nurses' understanding of this life-threatening condition.

Humans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Managing patients with a tracheostomy in acute care.

Most acute wards occasionally receive patients with tracheostomies, but relatively infrequent experience of caring for these patients means that nurses have limited opportunities to practise their knowledge and skills. This article examines the indications for using a tracheostomy and provides a problem-centred approach to patient care.

Acute Disease↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Anthrax alert?

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Anthrax↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Central venous catheters and central venous pressure.

Central venous catheters are increasingly being used in a variety of clinical areas outside critical care. Philip Woodrow examines the indications, measuring techniques and complications associated with central venous pressure monitoring.

Catheterization, Central Venous↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Measuring respiratory function to wean patients from non-invasive ventilation in a ward environment.

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is increasingly being introduced into various ward environments. NIV is usually used on wards to treat acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In patients with COPD, carbon dioxide removal will be impaired. In critical care, arterial blood gas sampling remains the 'gold standard' for assessing carbon dioxide levels. Obtaining arterial blood gas samples in a ward environment is problematic, and potentially dangerous. There is currently no reliable substitute for arterial sampling to monitor for hypercapnia in ward areas.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A course in critical care for ward staff.

A government review has acknowledged that many critically ill patients are being cared for on acute wards. A lack of resources and intensive care beds, combined with low staffing levels, have led to increased demands being placed on wards that are already struggling to care for critically ill patients. Research shows that ward nurses are well placed to identify early indications of complications and initiate appropriate interventions, and that poor outcomes and some deaths are potentially avoidable. This article describes how one trust developed an in-house education programme to support nurses caring for acutely and critically ill patients on the wards.

Critical Care↗