Critical Care Concepts: Summary

Emergency Centres intubate and ventilate patients as part of daily practise and these patient’s length of EC stay are increasing due to the limited availability of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds. 

The Emergency Centre have the first opportunity to provide appropriate critical care and in doing so impact on morbidity and mortality.

References:

• Vincent JL. Give your patient a fast hug (at least) once a day. Crit Care Med 2005;33(6): 1225-9.
• Grap MJ, Munro CL, Unoki T, Hamilton VA, Ward KR. Ventilator associated pneumonia: the potential critical role of Emergency Medicine in prevention. J Emerg Med 2012;42(3): 353-62.
• Wood S, Winters ME. Care of the intubated Emergency Department patient. J Emerg Med 2011;40(4): 419-427.
• Weingart S. Spinning Dials How to dominate the Ventilator. http://crashingpatient.com/wp-content/pdf/weingart%20vent%20handout.pdf.
• Best Care Always Initiative - http://www.bestcare.org.za/