1Edinburgh Critical Care Online Handbook

COVID-19 CRITICAL CAREUnderstanding and Application

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Welcome

This handbook complements the online, open access FutureLearn based COVID-19 CRITICAL CARE: Understanding and Application.

https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/covid-19-critical-care-education-resource/1

Section 01 Recognition and management of the deteriorating patient

Section 02 Daily Practice of Critical Care

Section 03 Self-Care and Staff Well-Being

Section 04 Emergencies and practical resources toolkit

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Recognition and management of the deteriorating patient

01

General Points

• Acutely ill patients require rapid but careful assessment.

• Initiationoftreatmentoftenprecedesdefinitivediagnosisbutdiagnosisshouldbeactivelypursued.

• Aimtopreventfurtherdeteriorationandstabilisethepatient.

• Earlyinvolvementofexperiencedassistanceisoptimali.e.GETHELP

* Please apply your local guidelines and protocols with regard to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

• Thegeneralprinciplesofemergencymanagementdescribedherecanbeappliedtothemajorityofacutelyilladultsirrespectiveofunderlyingdiagnosisoradmittingspeciality.

• Whenpatientsareadmitted,accesstheEmergencyCareSummary(ECS)andelectronicPalliativeCareSummary(ePCS)astheinformationavailableonthesemayaffectdecisionsaboutappropriatemanagementintheeventofpatientdeterioration.Symptomaticcaremaybemoreappropriatethanescalation of support.

• Sepsis,shockandrespiratoryfailurecanoccurinanyclinicalarea.Theremaybelife-threateningabnormalitiesofphysiologypresente.g.hypoxiaorhypovolaemia,orthepatientmayhaveaspecificcondition which is at risk of rapid de-stabilisation e.g. acute coronary syndrome, GI bleed.

The four key domains of emergency management

1 2 3 4Acute

assessment (with targeted examinationstabilisation immediate

investigations&support

Monitors:

Reassess

Surface

Invasive

Real time or delayed

Illnessseverityassessment

Clinical decision making

Teamwork

TaskMx

Situation awareness

Critical thinking

Differential diagnosis/definitivediagnosis

Immediate, medium term and long term

treatment

Graham Nimmo

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Theapproachtotheacutelyilladultrequiresthesefourelements to proceed almost in parallel.

Immediateinvestigationsarethosewhichwillinfluencetheacutemanagementofthepatientandinclude;

• Arterial blood gas

• Glucose

• Potassium

• Haemoglobin

• Clotting screen (where indicated).

• TwelveleadECG.

• CXR (where indicated).

• Remembertotakeappropriateculturesincludingvenousbloodculturesbeforeadministeringantibiotics (if practical).

• Considersendingbloodforscreen,groupandsaveorcross-matching.

AcuteAssessment,PrimaryTreatment&Investigations1

Acute assessment is designed to identify life-threatening physiological abnormalities and diagnoses so thatimmediatecorrectivetreatmentcanbeinstituted(seealgorithm).PatientobservationsandNEWSscorearecriticaltotheprocess.WithinNHSUKanearlywarningscoringsystem(NEWS)isutilisedtoalertstafftoseverelyillpatients.Itisadecisionsupporttoolthatcomplimentsclinicaljudgementandprovidesamethodforprioritisingclinicalcare.AnelevatedNEWSscorecorrelateswithincreasedmortalityanditisrecommendedthatapatientwithaNEWSscoreof4orgreaterrequiresurgentreviewandappropriateinterventionscommenced.Think:Dotheyneedspecialist/criticalcareinputNOW? If the answer is yes get help immediately.

* However ill patients may have a NORMAL NEWS score: look at the individual patient critically.

COVID-19 patients: NEWS is commonly lower than severity of illness would imply Tachypnoea is much less prominent than in other critical illness: the respiratory rate is less than you would expect for degree of respiratory failure and may be falsely reassuring

PrimaryAssessment&Management:ApproachtotheAcutely ill Patient

SeeexplanatorynotesbelowApproach: Hello,howareyou?Whatisthemainproblem?Doyouhaveanyallergies?Whatmedicinesareyouon?PMH?Getaclearhistorytoassistdefinitivediagnosis

A CLINICAL ASSESSMENT*GET HELP NOW

ACTION INVESTIGATIONSIN ASSESSMENT

Airway and Conscious LevelClear and coping? Stridor*

Chin lift, head tiltCall for help early

B BreathingLook,listenandfeelRateandvolumeand symmetryWOB2/patternRR > 30*Paradoxical breathing*

Auscultate chestHighconcentration60-100% oxygen1

Monitor ECG,BP, SpO2Ventilate if required

ABG3, PEFR, CXR

C CirculationPulse4

Rate/volumeRhythm/characterSkin colour and tempCapillary refill6 and warm/cold interfaceBlood pressure (BP)HR < 40 >140*BP < 90 SBP*

No pulse:cardiac massageIV access5 and Fluids

Auscultate Heart

12 lead ECG

D CNS and Conscious LevelGCS/AVPUFall in GCS 2 points*Pupils, focal neurological signs

ABC & Consider the causeManagement of coma

Glucose

E Examine & Assess Evidence& EnvironmentTemperature

Look at SEWS chart,results, drug & fluid charts

Standard bloods7

1Ifnotbreathing,gethelpandgivetwoeffectiverescuebreaths.2 WOB: work of breathing.3Alwaysrecordinspiredoxygenconcentration.4 If collapsed carotid, if not start with radial.5Takebloodforx-matchandimmediatetests(seetext).6 Should be

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Notes on Initial Assessment Algorithm

* If you are called to a sick patient GO AND SEE THEM. Five seconds critically looking at the patient will tell you more than 10 minutes on the phone.

Airway and Breathing• SeeBLSguidelinesforcardiacarrest.

• Byintroducingyourselfandsayinghelloyoucanrapidlyassesstheairway,breathingdifficultiesandtheconsciouslevel.IfthepatientistalkingAisclearandBisn’tdire.

• AMPLE:askaboutallergies,medicines,pasthistory,lastfood/fluid,eventsathomeorinwarde.g.drug administration.

• IfanypatientwithknownorsuspectedchronicrespiratorydiseasearrivesinA&E,CAAorARAUonhighconcentrationoxygencheckABGimmediatelyandadjustoxygenaccordingly.

• Whenassessingbreathingthinkofitinthesamewayasyouthinkofthepulse:rate,volume,rhythm,character(workofbreathing),symmetry.Lookforaccessorymuscleuse,andtheominoussignofparadoxicalchest/abdomenmovement:“see-saw”.

• Asyouassessbreathingtargetedexaminationofthechestisappropriate.

• Highconcentrationoxygenisbestgivenusingamaskwithareservoirbagandat15lcanprovidenearly90%oxygen.

* The concentration of oxygen the patient breathes in is determined by the type of mask as well as the flow from the wall and the breathing pattern. By using a fixed performance system (Venturi) you can gauge the percentage much more accurately.

• Theclinicalstateofthepatientwilldeterminehowmuchoxygentogive,buttheacutelyillshouldreceiveatleast60%oxygeninitially.

• ABGshouldalwaysbecheckedearlytoassessoxygenation,ventilation(PaCO2) and metabolic state (HCO3andbasedeficit).AlwaysrecordtheFiO2(oxygenconcentration).

• OxygentherapyshouldbeadjustedinthelightofABGs:O2 requirements may increase or decrease as time passes.

Circulation• Asyouassesscirculationtargetedexaminationoftheheartisappropriate.

• IVaccessisoftendifficultinsickpatients.

• Thegaugeofcannulaneededisdictatedbytherequireduse:

- largeborecannulaearerequiredforvolumeresuscitation.Ideallyinsert2largebore(atleast 16Ggrey)cannulae,oneineacharmintheseverelyhypovolaemicpatient.

- an 18 gauge green cannula is usually adequate for drug administration.

• Consider Intra-osseous (I-O) access.

• Thefemoralveinoffersanexcellentrouteforlargeboreaccess.

• Ifthereismajorbloodlossspeaktothelabs&BTS:youmayneedcoagulationfactorsaswellasblood.ConsideractivatingtheMajorHaemorrhageprotocoldial2222.CallSeniorhelp.

• Usepressureinfusorsandbloodwarmersforrapid,highvolumefluidresuscitation.

* If the patient is very peripherally vasoconstricted and hypovolaemic don’t struggle to get a 14G (brown) cannula in. Put in two 18G cannulae (green) and start fluid resuscitation through both. Consider I-O access. CALL FOR HELP.

• MachinederivedcuffbloodpressureisinaccurateatextremesofBPandintachycardias(especiallyAF).

• Manual sphygmomanometer BP is more accurate in hypotension.

• Inseverehypotensionwhichisnotreadilycorrectedwithfluidearlyconsiderationshouldbegiventoarteriallineinsertionandvasoactivedrugtherapy:GET HELP.

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Disability• Glasgowcomascale(GCS):documentallthreecomponentsaccuratelywithbesteye,bestverbal

and best motor responses.

• RecommendedpainfulstimuliaresupraorbitalpressureorTrapeziuspinch.

Glasgow Coma Scale to record conscious level

Eye Opening (E) Verbal Response (V) Motor Response (M)

4 = Spontaneous3 = To voice2 = To pain1 = None

5 = Normal conversation4 = Disoriented conversation3 = Words, but not coherent2 = No words......only sounds1 = NoneT = intubated patients

6 = Normal5 = Localizes to pain4 = Withdraws to pain3 = Decorticate posture2 = Decerebrate1 = None

Total = E+V+M

• Checkpupilsize,symmetryandreactiontolight.

• A.V.P.U. can also be used by people less familiar with the calculations of the Glasgow Coma Sale (GCS)

A = Alert V = responds to Voice stimuli P = responds to Painful stimuli U = Unresponsive

AVPUisusedintherecordingofNEWSandcarriesaweightingappropriatetolevelofconsciousness.

Exposure, evidence and examination• Furtherhistoryshouldbeobtainedandfurtherexaminationshouldbeperformed.Informationshouldbesoughtfromrecentinvestigations,prescriptionormonitoringcharts.

PreventingDeterioration&CardiacArrest

• Around 80% of our in-hospital cardiac arrests are in non-shockable rhythms.

• In ventricular fibrillation/pulseless ventricular tachycardia the onset is abrupt, and an at-risk group withacutecoronarysyndromescanbeidentifiedandmonitored.Earlydefibrillationresultsinoptimalsurvival.

• In contrast, in-hospital cardiac arrest in asystole or pulseless electrical activity or PEA has a survivalrateofaround10%andthereisnospecifictreatment.Thereareusuallydocumenteddeteriorationsinphysiologypriortothearrest.TheseareoftentreatableandreversiblesotheaimistorecognisedeclineearlyandtoprovideearlycorrectivemanagementinordertoPREVENT CARDIAC ARREST. (See NEWS section).

* Causes of preventable asystole and PEA can also cause VF.

• Hypoxaemia and hypovolaemiaarecommonandoftenco-existe.g.insepsis,anaphylaxis,traumaor haemorrhage such as GI bleeding.

• Electrolyte abnormalities, notably hyperkalaemia, hypokalaemia or hypocalcaemia are easily detected and readily correctable.

• Drugtherapyorpoisoning/toxinsmaycontributetoinstability.

Physiological abnormalities How to pick them up

Hypoxaemia,hypercarbia,acidosis Do an early blood gas

Hypovolaemia,hypervolaemia Assess circulation (see algorithm)

Hypokalaemia,hyperkalaemia Early bloods

Hypothermia Assesscontext,coretemp

Tensionpneumothorax Clinicalcontextandsigns:Point of care ultrasound

Toxins* Clinicalcontext

Cardiac tamponade Clinicalcontext,earlyechocardiogram

Thromboembolic Clinicalcontext,PE/CTPA

* N.B beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers.

• Hypothermia, tension pneumothorax, cardiac tamponade (particularly after thrombolysis, cardiac surgery or chest trauma) and thrombo-embolic disease must all be considered (look at the clinical context).

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Monitoring&Reassessment

illnessSeverityAssessment

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2

• Real-timecontinuousmonitoringisinvaluableintheacutelyill.

• Pulseoximetry,ECGandcuffBPmonitoringshouldbeinstitutedimmediatelyinallpatients.

• Monitoring is an integral part of the treatment/re assessment/treatment/reassessment loop.

• Theplaceofurgentinvestigationisdetailedpreviously.Earlypointofcareultrasound(POCUS)orecocardiography.

• Inordertomakeadefinitivediagnosisspecificbloodtestsorimagingtechniquesmayberequired.

* Do not move unstable patients e.g. to x-ray until stabilised, and then only with adequate support, vascular access, monitoring and appropriate escort.

Assessment and re-assessmentAssessresponsetotreatmentbycontinuousclinicalobservation,repeatedassessmentofairway,breathing,circulationanddisability(consciouslevel)asabovewithuninterruptedmonitoringofECGandoxygensaturation.Reassessregularlytoseetheeffectsofintervention,ortospotdeterioration.

* IF THE PATIENT IS NOT IMPROVING CONSIDER:

1. Is the diagnosis correct?

2. Is the diagnosis complete?

3. Is there more than one diagnosis?

4. Are they so ill help is needed now?

5. Is there an unrecognised problem or diagnosis?

• Workingouthowillthepatientisandwhatneedstohappentothemnextunderpinstheeffective,safemanagement of all adult medical emergencies.

Specificscoringsystemsareincludedinspecialistsections.TheNationalEarlyWarningScoringSystemisbeingusedinUK.

Illnessseverityassessmentinformsfourkeydecisions:

i. Whatlevelandspeedofinterventionisrequired?e.g.urgentventilation,immediatesurgery.

ii. Is senior help required immediately, and, if so, whom?

iii.Whereshouldthepatientbelookedafter?Thisisadecisionaboutnursingcare,monitoringand treatmentlevel.Thechoicesinclude: - General wards -Intermediatecarefacility(CoronaryCareUnit:CCUorHighDependencyUnit:HDU) -Theatre -IntensiveCareUnit(ICU)

* Placing the patient in a monitored HDU bed without increasing the level of appropriate medical input and definitive treatment will not improve outcome on it’s own. Senior advice should be sought early.

iv. What co-morbidity is present? (including drugs which blunt compensatory changes in physiology).

* If the parameters are normal is that appropriate for the clinical state of the patient?

News Parameters and Scoring System

Parameter3 2 1

Score0 1 2 3

Respiratory rate >36 31-35 21-30 9-20 39 38-38.9 36-37.9 35-34.9 34-34.9 200 100-199 80-99 70-79 130 110-129 100-109 50-99 40-49 30-39

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* Even in the absence of a specific diagnosis of concern or greatly impaired physiology early ICU involvement may be appropriate: seek senior advice.

Watch for the development of cardiovascular, respiratory and other organ system failure, particularly in patients known to be at risk because of their illness.

INVOLVE CRITICAL CARE EARLY

Clinical Decision Making3Decisionmakingunderpinsallaspectsofclinicalandprofessionalbehaviourandisoneofthecommonestactivitiesinwhichweengage.Youshouldunderstand:

• thefactorsinvolvedinclinicaldecisionmakingsuchasknowledge,experience,biases,emotions,uncertainty,context

• the critical relationship between CDM and patient safety

• thewaysinwhichweprocessdecisionmaking:system1andsystem2(linktoevidence)

• the place of algorithms, guidelines, protocols in supporting decision making and potential pitfalls in their use

• thepivotaldecisionsindiagnosis,differentialdiagnosis,handingoverandreceivingdiagnosesandtheneedtoreviewevidencefordiagnosisatthesetimes

DefinitiveDiagnosis&Treatment4• Immediatelife-savingtreatmentoftenpreventsfurtherdeclineoreffectsimprovementwhilethediagnosisismadeandspecifictherapyappliede.g.percutaneouscoronaryinterventioninMI,endoscopictreatmentofanupperGIbleedingsource.Outcomeisbetterinpatientswhereadefinitediagnosishasbeenmadeanddefinitivetherapystarted.

Full Examination & Specialist Investigations• Getagoodhistory:usefulinformationisalwaysavailable.

• Relatives,GP,neighbours,ambulancestaffmayallbehelpful.

* If the patient is not improving consider:

1. Is the diagnosis secure?

2. Is the illness severity so great help is needed?

3. Is there something else going on?

Daily Practice of Critical Care

02GillyFleming,EliseHindle,GrahamNimmo,EmmaScahill

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What makes a unit a Critical Care Unit?

Itismorethanjustalocationwithinthehospital.

Criticalcareisanactivetreatmentprocesswhichisdeliveredtopatientswithimmediatelife-threateningillnessesorinjuriesinwhomvitalorgansystemsarefailing,oratriskoffailure,wherevertheyaresituated.

Carewithintheunitisprovidedbyaconsultant-ledspecialistteam,whichworksaroundtheclocktoofferadvancedtherapeutics,diagnosticsandmonitoring.

WhatarethedifferentlevelsofCareofferedwithinCritical Care?

NotallpatientswithinCriticalCarerequirethesamedegreeofmonitoringandintervention.TheIntensiveCareSociety(UK)1definesthelevelsofcareasfollows:

• Level0careiscarewhichisappropriateforpatientswhoneedtobeinhospitalbutrequireobservationstobemonitoredlessthanfourhourly.Thesepatientsaremostoftenmanagedonageneral ward.

• Level1careiseitherforpatientswhohaverecentlybeendischargedfromahigherlevelofcare,orforpatientsinneedofadditionalmonitoringorintervention.Somehospitalsmayhavecriticalcareoutreachteamsthatallowspatientslikethistoremaininawardlevelenvironment.

• Patientswhorequiresingleorgansupport(e.g.vasopressors)maybesuitableforlevel2careunlessitisadvancedrespiratorysupportthatisrequiredwhichnecessitateslevel3care.

• Level3careisprovidedforpatientsrequiringadvancedrespiratorysupportorforpatientswhorequire> 2 organs to be supported.

Thelevelofcareassignedtoapatientwillinfluence,butnotdetermine,staffingrequirementsalthoughingeneralpatientsreceivinglevel3careshouldbeexpectedtorequire1:1nursingcarearoundtheclock.

Image courtesy of Judith Roberts, North Dakota, US

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TheCriticalCareBedspace

Itisofvitalimportancethatthepatientbedspaceisorganisedinsuchawaytopromoteeaseofclinicalcare,optimisepatientdignityandcomfortandlimitthecapacityforinfectiouspathogenstothrive.

Below is bedspace 39 within the Critical Care Unit. Have a look around the bedspace and familiarise yourself with the labels.

How does the bedspace compare to the units in which you work?

Patient Monitoring in Critical Illness

AdequatemonitoringisacorestandardofcareforpatientsinIntensiveCareUnits.Whenusedinadditiontovigilancebymedicalandnursingstaff,thenunfavourableclinicaleventscanbedetectedquicklyandactedupon.Importantly,theuseofmonitoringwithinintensivecaredoesnotnegatetheriskofadverseevents,butshouldmakethemmorereadilydetectable.

ANZICS(TheAustralianCollegeofIntensiveCareMedicine)publishedthefollowingrecommendationsastheirminimumstandardsofmonitoringforpatientswithinanIntensiveCareEnvironment:

• Patientmonitoringequipmentshouldbemodular,withtrendingcapability,beclearlyvisible,andhaveaudible alarms.

• Clinicalmonitoringbyavigilantnurseisthebasisofgoodpatientmonitoring

• ThereshouldbeacontinuousECGdisplayandmeasurementofthearterialbloodpressureeitherthroughinvasiveornon-invasivemeasures.

• Respiratoryfunctionshouldbeassessedatfrequentandclinicallyappropriateintervalsbyobservationand supported by pressure monitoring and blood gas analysis.

• End tidal CO2monitoring-capnographymustbeavailableateachbedintheIntensiveCareUnitandmustbeusedtoconfirmtrachealplacementoftheendotrachealortracheostomytubeimmediatelyafterinsertion,andcontinuouslyinpatientswhoareventilatordependent.

• Endotrachealcuffmonitoring–equipmenttomeasurecuffpressureintermittently.

• Temperaturemonitoringthroughnon-invasiveorminimallyinvasivetechniques

• Otherequipment-whenclinicallyindicated,equipmentmustbeavailabletomeasureotherphysiologicalvariablessuchascardiacoutputandderivedvariables,neuromusculartransmissionetc.

RenalReplacementTherapy

Monitoring

Infusions and Pumps

Familyandfriends

Ventilator

LinesandTubes

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Ventilators in the Critically ill

In Ventilation and Organ Support page of the resource hub you can learn about ventilators and modes of ventilation. Below is a brief overview to get you started on the unit.

Manypatientswithincriticalcarerequireadvancedrespiratorysupportfromaventilator.Theventilatorinterfaceswiththepatientslungsviaanendotrachealortracheostomytube.

Positivepressureventilatorshavefourmaincomponents:

1. Asourceofpressurisedgasincludinganoxygen/airblender

2. Aninspiratoryvalve,expiratoryvalveandventilatorcircuit.

3. A control system, including a control panel, monitoring and alarms

4. A system to sense when the patient is trying to take a breath

Themostcommonlyemployedmodesareasfollows:

• Volume control ventilation (VCV) also known as continuous mandatory ventilation, or intermittent positive pressure ventilation.

- Inthismodetheuserselectsthevolumeofgastobedeliveredwitheachbreath(VT) and the rateatwhichthosebreathsaretobedelivered(RR).Eachventilationbreathisdeliveredwith aconstantinspiratoryflow.Tomaintainthisfixedrateofgasflowthepressuremustincrease throughoutinspiration.Toavoidlunginjuryitisimportanttosetapressurelimitation(usually30– 35cmH2O).Whenthispressureisreached,inspiratoryflowwillceaseorslow,whichmayresultin a lower VTbeingdelivered

The flow and pressure curves for volume control ventilation can be seen below. Compare it to the flow and pressure curves for pressure control ventilation. In which groups of patients that you have come across might each be useful and why?

• Pressure control ventilation (PCV).

- Inthismodetheuserdirectstheventilatortodelivergasatasetpressureforacertainperiodof time and at a set frequency.

- TheVT will depend upon the compliance of the lungs. Close attention must be paid to the VT to avoidunder-ventilationorvolutraumasecondarytoover-ventilation.

• Pressure support ventilation (PSV) also known as assisted spontaneous breathing (ASB).

- Theventilatorsensesapatient’sspontaneousbreathingeffortandsupportsthisbydelivering gasflowatasetpressure.Theinspiratorytimeandfrequencyaredeterminedbythe durationofthepatient’sspontaneouseffort.Ifthepatientstopsbreathing,nobreathswillbe delivered,however,mostventilatorshaveanapnoeaalarmandtheoptiontosetanemergency back-upventilationmodesuchasVCVorPCV.

• Synchronous intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV).

- Thisisamixedmodewhichoffersthepatientpressuresupportedbreathswhentheyare generating spontaneous breaths, or mandated PCV or VCV breaths if the spontaneous rate falls below a stated frequency.

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Whichevermodeofventilationyouchoose,itisrecommendedthatyouaimtodeliveraVTof≤6ml/kgidealbodyweight,andplateaupressuresof≤30cmH2O, as per the ARDSnet study.

Before you complete the invasive ventilation electure in week one, have a play with the Interactive Hamilton Ventilator Simulator. Try to set up each mode of ventilation as described above.

Youcanaccessthesimulatorathttps://www.hamilton-medical.com/.static/HAMILTON-T1/start.html “Handover”istheaccurate,reliableandsafetransferofinformationacrossshiftchangesorbetweenteamsandisrecognisedtobeahighriskclinicalevent.Itiswellrecognisedthatfailureofcommunicationduringhandoverofinformationmayleadtounnecessarydiagnosticdelays,patientsnotreceivingrequiredtreatment,andmedicationerrors.

You learnt about effective handover and the use of structured aids such as the SBAR tool during your fundamentals of critical care course.

Within your virtual critical care unit, formal handover occurs twice a day.

In2007theJointCommissionInternational(JCI)andtheWorldHealthOrganizationsuggestedimplementationofastandardisedapproachtohandovercommunicationbyusingtheSBAR(Situation,Background, Assessment, Recommendation) technique.

You should attend morning handover during week one of your placement on the virtual intensive care unit at https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/covid-19-critical-care-education-resource/1/todo/72869

HandoverandSafetyBrief

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Thedailyassessmentisasystems-basedapproachtoassessingacriticalcareinpatient.Thisassessment should allow recognition of clinical trends and to inform the short- and long-term management plan. We would recommend using standardised patient assessment documentation such astheproformadocumentwhichisavailableonyourlearningpage.Thiswillpromptyoutoexamineallbodysystemsandwillmakeitsimplertocomparetopreviousdaysassessments.

Beforecommencingthedailyassessment,itisimportanttofamiliarizeyourselfwiththepatient’sclinicalhistory.

• It is useful to note the day of their ICU admission.

• Trytoformulatealistoftheircurrentclinicalissues.

• Isthereanyrelevantpastmedicalhistory?

• Doesthepatienthaveanyplannedinterventionstodayoroutstandinginvestigationstochase?

Havingtheaboveinformationtohandwillmaketheinterpretationofyourclinicalfindingseasier.

Remember to follow good infection control practices when approaching the patient and to maintain patientprivacy.

You can watch the daily assessment of a patient athttps://www.futurelearn.com/courses/covid-19-critical-care-education-resource/1/todo/72869

Daily Assessment of a Critically ill patient

Daily Review ChecklistEVERYTHING ELSE• Bloods • ECG; CXR; other imaging required?• TPN• Pressure areas/wounds/drains• Mobilization

THE F’s• Feed• Fluids

GI ULCER PROPHYLAXIS• Bowels• Glycaemic control

COMMUNICATIONS• Family• Incapacity form• DNACPR• Escalation of support decisions• Anticipatory care planning for discharge

AIRWAY• How is the airway secure? ETT, SACETT, Trache.

Size of airway. Position of airway. • Grade of intubation.• Head up?• Tie vs tapes for securing airway – how is it secured• Suctioning – any difficulties – what is coming up• Mouth care – any issues with sores/oral thrush

BREATHING• Expansion, air entry, added sounds• Ventilation - settings• CXR• ABG analysis• Weaning• Oxygen and PaCO2 targets• Positioning of patient

CIRCULATION• Support• Lines• Monitoring• Transfusion target• Fluid management/fluid balance• IV access – central/peripheral/IO (when and why)• Renal function • Microbiology – temp, WCC

DISABILITY• Devices review• Drugs review (Med Rec) and Drug Levels e.g.

gentamicin; Anti-microbials• Analgesia/sedation • Delirium• Suitability for sedation hold• GCS for neuro patients

FINAL HOUSEKEEPING CHECK LIST

FASTHUGS BIDFeed/fluids/familyAnalgesiaSedationThromboprophylaxisHead upUlcer prophylaxisGlucose controlSpontaneous breathing trialBowels Indwelling catheter review Drugs: Medicines Reconciliation and de-escalation

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WGH DAILY COVID-19 WARD ROUND CHECKLIST (adapted from Cardiff COVID-19 Checklist: K Nunn, R Baruah, A Morgan)

Date: / / Consultant: Previous 24 hours/chart reviewed? Y □ N □

AIRWAY Yes No AIMS Considered? Tube size appropriate? Subglottic suction

Suction passing freely and secure for nursing care/airway sampling

If more than 3 days ventilated consider repeat deep tracheal aspirate for COVID-19 PCR and screen for other infections/VAP/supra-infection

From 10 days consideration of tracheostomy (team discussion,

organise early family discussion to broach subject)

Position at teeth/lips?

Cuff leak (audible or measurable)?

Appropriately secure (change AnchorFast for tape/ties if due proning patient)?

>3 days ventilated? >10 days ventilated?

BREATHING YES NO AIMS Considered? SpO2 88%-92% pre-existing lung disease, or 92%-96%, H+ 7.2, PaO2 >8kPa, 6mls/kg PBW Vt Ventilator safety?

(Lung Protective Ventilation) 6 mls/kg tidal volume PBW using our ulnar measuring chart

PEEP 8-20cmH20, Pplat ≤30 cmH2O, driving pressure ≤14 (COVID patients likely to need high PEEP levels)

FiO2 ≤ 40%? • Wean to supported spontaneous mode then CPAP • Stable (usually 12+ hours)? Consider staffing & expert advice for

extubation to HFNO/facemask (consider staff/other patient PPE)

FiO2 40% - 60%? ALWAYS AIM FiO2 < 60% CONSIDER:

Mucus plugging, pneumothorax, 2o bacterial infection, PEEP trial, repeat chest ultrasound +/- CXR

FiO2 ≥ 60%? • Haemodynamics acceptable for trial of diuresis?

• Atracurium and TOF 2 • Recruitment (NOT staircase) • Prone early (PF20) • No improvement? Expert input ECMO, APRV

CIRCULATION YES NO AIMS MAP > 60 mmHg, neutral or negative fluid balance

Noradrenaline 1st line vasopressor 20mls/hr 8mg% commence hydrocortisone 13mls/hr 16mg% commence vasopressin

Dobutamine for cardiogenic shock

Search for septic source, review fluid balance, consider small fluid boluses (100mls)

Add cardiac output monitoring and FICE scan, fluid boluses must be guided by additional monitoring

Consider milrinone if RV impairment

Positive fluid balance and either static or reducing vasopressor requirements?

Frusemide 20 mg BD IV, increase current dose or start infusion (may reduce nursing PPE/proximity exposure and haemodynamic effect).

Avoid maintenance fluids, minimise drug/infusion volumes

RRT, early evidence poor outcome in this COVID-19 group (depending upon patient, regional and national picture it would be appropriate to

discuss this with another/experienced intensivist)

CPR/escalation decisions? Family discussion, local + regional + national picture SEDATION YES NO AIMS

Calm and safe FiO2 ≤ 50%, PEEP ≤ 12

Daily sedation hold RASS and CAM-ICU assessment and wean as able

Risk of PRIS (>4mls/kg/hr propofol, new acidosis, ECG changes)? Check CK and lipids, stop propofol and change to midazolam/clonidine

EXPOSURE (is external cooling required?)

YES NO AIMS Minimise procedures and lines, esp. minimise no. of contacts

nurse has to have e.g. rationalise admin times with pharmacist

Feed? NG and/or TPN, check BM +/- ketones Bowels? Bowel protocol, intranet, critical care

Bloods reviewed? Any need to check CRP/Troponin/CK/ferritin/D-dimers? Medicines rationalised? Minimise admin times, GI protection, LMWH.

Any adjustments required for renal function? Samples? Including COVID-19 clearance

Family update? Sensitive to reduced visiting Now, give the patient a FLAT HUG, summarise and plan with the team, especially bedside nurse

As part of your daily assessment, it is important to spend a few minutes ensuring the appropriate elementsofroutinecareareinplaceforyourpatient.Routineelementsofcarecanbebroadlydefinedaselementsofsupportiveandpreventativecareforacriticallyillpatientwhicharestandardised,regardlessofthepresentingpathology.ThisaimstoreducetheburdenofICUacquiredcomplicationsforpatients.

TheoriginsoftheFASTHUGmnemonicareattributedtoJLVincent,whopublishedanarticledescribingitin2005.Itismeanttoserveasamentalchecklisttoensurethatelementsofroutinecarearecheckeddailyforeverypatient.

The FASTHUGS BID approach

Component Consideration for Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Team

Feeding

Fluids

Family

Can the patient be fed orally, if not enterally? If not, should we start parenteral feeding?

Check24hourfluidbalanceandplanfornext24hours

Are family, friends, carers up to date. Do we need to plan a meeting with them?

Analgesia Thepatientshouldnotsufferpain,butexcessiveanalgesiashouldbeavoided

Sedation Thepatientshouldnotexperiencediscomfortbutexcessivesedationshouldbeavoided;“calm,comfortable,collaborative”istypically the best

Thromboembolic prevention Shouldwegivelow-molecular-weightheparinorusemechanicaladjuncts?

Head of the bed elevated Optimally, 30o to 45o, unless contraindications (e.g. threatened cerebral perfusion pressure)

Stress Ulcer prophylaxis Establishing enteral feed is ideal. Proton pump inhibitors are used.

Glucose control WithinlimitsdefinedineachICU

Bowels Aretheymoving?Oftenenough?Toomuch?Assessandplanusinglocal protocol.

Indwelling catheter review Lookatalltubesandlines.Howlonghavetheybeenin?Aretheystill required? Do they need to be changed?

Drugs: Medicines Reconciliation and de-escalation

Medicines reconciliation and de-escalation

Documentation and provisional plansWhendocumentingthedailyassessmentyoumustbeginwithabriefsummaryoutliningthepatient’sdurationofstay,maindiagnoses,anddetailsofinjuries,proceduresorinterventions.Ensurethatallofyourdocumentationincludesthepatient’sname,dateofbirth,uniquehospitalnumber,andthenameoftheconsultantorconsultantsresponsiblefortheircare.Recordthedetailsofyourexaminationfindingsandthensummarizewithacurrentproblemlistandshort-termplan.Ifyouhaveanyqueriesorconcerns,thendiscusswithothermembersofthemedicalteam.Thepatient’smanagementplanwillbereviewedon the consultant ward round.

Routine elements of care in the daily assessment

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TheConsultantWardRound Goal Setting

Oncethedailyassessmentsarecomplete,aconsultantledwardroundtakesplace.Thisisanopportunityformulti-disciplinaryinputintothepatient’scareplan

Onthewardroundinourvirtualcareunityouwillhearinputfromacriticalcareconsultant,oneormoreteamdoctors,thebedsidenurse,thenurseinchargeofthefloor,thepharmacist,andpossiblyaphysiotherapist, respiratory therapist or some medical students.

Thedoctorwhohasperformedthatpatient’sdailyassessmentshouldpresenttotheteamabriefclinicalbackgroundandthepertinentfindingsfromtheclinicalassessment.Thebedsidenurseisthengiventheopportunitytolistthepatient’scurrentconcerns.Withallofthedatapresentedbeforethem,andtheopportunitytocallontheexpertisewithintheteam,theconsultantisthenabletocreateanimmediateand longer term management plan for that patient.

As part of the ward round the Consultant will also ensure that elements of routine care as described aboveareinplace.

Join the Consultant led ward round at https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/covid-19-critical-care-education-resource/1/todo/72869

AttheendofeveryConsultant-ledwardround,wealwayssetdailygoalsforeverypatient.Thisallowstheteamtosetgoalsforeveryorgansystem,inandordertomovethepatientforwardsandtoprogresstheircare.Thegoalsmustbeclear,documentedeitherinthenotesorviaachecklist,andclearlycommunicated to the whole team caring for the patient.

Thegoalssetforeachpatientincludes(ifappropriate):

• Respiratory goal setting –Thismightincludetargetsforgasexchange,weaninggoalsandplansforextubation

• CVS–Weaningofvasopressors,targetMAPsettingeg“MAP65-70mmHg”

• GI –Bowelprotocol,plansfornutritionalintake,weight

• Renal–Fluidbalancegoaleg“minus1500mlinnext24hours”

• Neurological–Sedationgoals(RASS),CPPtargets

• Other–Physiotherapyandmobilisationgoals.Plansforupdatingfamilies

Critical Care Management of COVID-19Alastair Morgan, Andy Boyle

VENTILATIONInitial mode = SIMV (Ward 20) or SIMV PCV-VG

Tidal volume 6mls/kg according to ulnar charts

RR: start at 20-25

PEEP: 12-20cmH2O but beware of CVS collapse

Plateau pressure 30cmH2O

Target SpO2 92%, PaO2 8kPa, H+ 65

Paralysis if high FiO2 requirement or dysynchrony

Proning - FiO2 0.6, PaO2/FiO2 ratio

32 33

Self-Care and Staff Well-being

03 Dorothy Armstrong and Graham Nimmo

ThissectionsprovidesusefulinformationandthelinkstoFutureLearntoenableyoutoappreciatetheimportance of caring for yourself.

https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/covid-19-critical-care-education-resource/1/todo/72869

Experiencingadversity,sufferingortraumatakesitstollsobekindtoyourself–KristinNeffsuggestsweshouldtreatourselveslikeagoodfriend:gentlywithacceptance,compassionandkindness.Keytoself-careistoacknowledgeandaccepttherollercoasterofemotionsyoumaybefeeling

Managing our emotions begins with self-awareness and this graphic may be useful to focus on when you arefeelingvulnerable

Beingabletopauseandbreathe–beingtrulypresentinthemoment.BeingawareofwhatiswithinyourgiftandwhatisoutwithyourcontrolasdescribedbyCovey’scircleofconcern.Letting-goisaboutrecognisingwhereyoucanuseyourenergyandletgoofthemoretrivialthoughtsorirritations.Finallyyouareencouragedtoexperienceandsavourlifeatit’sbest.Oftenthinkingofoursensescanbepowerfulandrefocusonwhatmattersinourlives.

Introduction

34 35

Thismodeldemonstrateshowinorderforustobemosteffectiveweshouldbeinasafeplaceorperhapssomewhatchallenged.Ifweareoverwhelmed,webegintofeelanxiousorafraidorstressedand our ability to think is impaired.

Self-compassion

“We can learn to embrace our lives, despite our imperfections and provide ourselves with the strength needed to thrive” Kristin Neff

Weareallawareofthesafetybriefonaplaneandunderstand“Putyourownoxygenmaskonfirstbeforehelpingothers”It’sthesamewithcaringforourselves:inordertobeatourbestandmosteffectiveatwork you need self-compassion.

* Put your own oxygen mask on first before helping others

FactsMore people are struggling with keeping well –increasingmentalill-healthinyoungpeopleand suicide and rates of absenteeism and presenteeism.

Wecannotescapesufferinginourlivesandatwork but we can change the way we respond.

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” Viktor Frankl

What is Self-Compassion?Treatingyourselflikeyouwouldafriend–beaninnerallyratherthanacritic!Therearethreeelements:

• Self kindness–supportingandencouraging,acceptingourimperfectionsandcelebratingour strengths

• Common humanity–weareallhumanandallexperiencestrugglesandhardshipinourlives and at work

• Being present (or mindful) in a balanced way–noticingandacceptinginthehereandnow.Being present–startswithyou

* We are all perfectly imperfect and giving our best is enough.

TheJapaneseartofKintsugirepairsbrokenpotteryusinggoldasametaphorforourlivesandembracing our imperfections as strengths adding to our unique beauty.

36 37

Treat yourself like a good friendThinkofaclosefriendwhowasstrugglinginsomeway–whatdidyousay/do?Nowthinkofatimeyouwerestruggling.Howdidyourespond?Whatdidyounotice?

Trytheself-compassionexercisesathome.

What’s the kindest things I can do for myself right now?

Meeting our emotionsKristinNeffdescribestheimportanceofmeetingouremotionsratherthanresisting.Meetingdifficultemotions

• Resisting

• Exploring

• Tolerating

• Allowing

• Accepting

Checkoutyourownself-compassion–visitKristenNeff’swebsiteatwww.self-compassion.org–andtesthowselfcompassionateyouare.

* Name it you tame it - if you resist it persists

38 39

Bounce back

Recognising stress and calmCALM

Compose yourself –takeadeepbreathandpressthepausebutton

Attention –noticeyourownfeelingsandgivetheotherpersonyourfullattention

Listen–identifythekeywordsandemotions

Mindful–betrulypresentinthemoment

Resources

Reaching out

Youwillfindanumberofresourcesincludingvideos,audiosandgraphicsherehttps://www.futurelearn.com/courses/covid-19-critical-care-education-resource/1/todo/72869

Atthistimemorethaneveryouareinvitedtonotice,withoutjudgement,thetriggersthatmayaddtoyourstressandwhatstepsyoucanputinplacetoshifttoastateofcalm.Findyourownstrategiesout-linedhereinthisHALTdiagram

Pleasetakecareofyourselfandifyouhavefeelingsofoverwhelmingdistressorsuicidalthoughts,askforhelp.Usethelocalsupportavailabletoyouatworkandathome,CharitiessuchasSamaritansintheUKorspeaktoyourowndoctor.

“Our human compassion binds us the one to the other – not in pity but as human beings who have learnt how to urn our common suffering into hope” Nelson Mandela

40 41

Emergencies and practical resources toolkit

04

Preparing for Emergencies

Emergency equipment

You can watch the video of the airway trolley at https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/covid-19-critical-care-education-resource/1

42 43

Airway and tracheostomy emergencies

FailedIntubation

The4thNationalAuditProjectoftheRoyalCollegeofAnaesthetistsandDifficultAirwaySociety;majorcomplicationsofairwaymanagementintheUK(NAP4)reportedhighratesofairwayrelatedcomplicationswithintheIntensivecareUnit7. Airway-related complications were more likely to occur withincriticalcarethanintheatreandweresignificantlymorelikelytoresultinmajormorbidityandmortality. NAP 4 reported rates of airway-related complications within critical care that was more than 50timesthatduringanaesthesia,withamortalityofalmost50%ofpatientswhosufferedamajorairwayeventwithincriticalcare.Whereasmostairwaycomplicationsduringanaesthesiaaroseatintubation,themajorityoflife-threateningairwayeventsonICUinvolvedaccidentalairwaydislodgement,especiallyoftracheostomies.

Humanfactorerrorsweredescribedin40%ofthecasesreportedwithinNAP4,althoughsubsequentanalyseshavesuggestedthisfigureismuchhigher.

TheNAP4reporthighlightedbothorganisationalfailingsandindividualerrorsincontributingtowardsthese airway disasters.

InresponsetotheNAP4report,criticalcareteamshavebeenpreparingforemergencieswithinthecriticalcareenvironmentmakinguseofsimulatedemergencydrillsandcognitiveaids.Inaddition,therehas been a big push to train staff and to standardise responses to tracheostomy management with the national tracheostomy patient safety programme.

Difficultywithintubatingthetracheaoccursinapproximately1-3%ofintubationattempts.Inapproximatelyhalfofallcasesitisnotpredicted.

WhilsttherearesomepredictorsofdifficultintubationincludingthyromentaldistanceandtheMallampatitest,theseanatomicalhallmarksarenotreliableatpredictingdifficultintubation.

Withinacriticalcareunitpatientsrequiringintubationandventilationarealsophysiologicallydifficult,oftenhypoxic,andmaybeshocked.Theperiodofapnoeatoleratedmaybeconsiderablyshortenedincomparisontopatientsundergoinganaesthesiaforelectivesurgery.Therealsotendsnottobetheoptiontowakepatientsupifunanticipateddifficultintubationisencountered.

Ifananaesthetisedpatientcannotbreathespontaneouslyorthelungscannotbeotherwiseventilatedviatheuseofabagvalvemask,thenthepatientwillbesaidtobeina“can’toxygenate,can’tventilatescenario”anddirectfrontofneckaccesstothetracheamayhavetobeobtained.

In2017,thedifficultairwaysociety(DAS)publishedtheirguidelinesforthemanagementofunanticipateddifficultintubationincriticallyilladults10.ThisstandardisedtheapproachtothiscrisisandencouragesteamstoverbaliseaplanA-DpriortotheRSIattempt.

Prior to the commencement of an intubation attempt in the critically ill adult the whole team should completeapre-procedurechecklist.TheDAS/RCOA/FICMRSIchecklistisshownbelow.

FollowingthecompletionofthechecklistandtheverbalisationoftheA-Eplan,theEmergencyIntubationcanthenproceedwiththefollowingstepsoccurringinthecaseofanunanticipateddifficultairway.

Prepare the patient Prepare the equipment Prepare the team Prepare for difficulty

Reliable IV/IO access

Optimise position

Sit-up?

Mattress hard

Airway assessment

identify cricothyroid

membrane

Awake intubation option?

Optimal preoxygenation

3minsofETO2 >85%

Consider CPAP/NIV

Nasal 02

Optimise patient state

Fluid/pressor/inotrope

Aspirate NG tube

Delayed sequence

induction

Allergies?

Potassium risk?

-avoidsuxamethonium

Apply monitors

SpO2/waveformETCO2 /

ECG/BP

Check equipment

Trachealtubesx2

-cuffs checked

Directlaryngoscopesx2

Videolaryngoscope

Bougie/stylet

Working suction

Supraglottic airways

Guedel/nasal airways

Flexiblescope/Aintree

FONAset

Check drugs

Consider ketamine

Relaxant

Pressor/inotrope

Maintenance sedation

Allocate roles

Onepersonmayhave

more than one role

TeamLeader

1st Intubator

2nd Intubator

Cricoid force

Intubator’sassistant

Drugs

Monitoring patient

Runner

MILS(ifindicated)

Who will perform

FONA?

Who do we call for help?

Who is noting the time?

Can we wake the patient if

intubation fails?

Verbalise“AirwayPlanis:”

Plan A:

Drugs&laryngoscopy

Plan B/C:

Supraglottic airway

Face-mask

Fibreopticintubation

viasupraglotticairway

Plan D:

FONA

Scalpel-bougie-tube

Does anyone have

questions concerns?

Intubation Checklist: critically ill adults - to be done with the whole team presentDifficultAirwaySociety;IntensiveCareSociety;FacultyofIntensiveCareMedicine;RoyalCollegeofAnaesthetists

44 45

Unintentional Extubation

Immediate Actions

Call for help

Use self-inflating bag with reservoir and facemask to support breathing. If muscle relaxed insert oropharyngeal airway and hand ventilate using a two person technique. Check that chest is moving.

Check that bag is attached to oxygen source set at 15L/min.

Keep capnography in the circuit and observe for trace with ventilation.

Maintain until advanced airway provider arrives.

Graham Nimmo April 2020 Based on ACCP Transfer Action Cards NHS Lothian

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2

3

5

4

46 47

Sudden high airway pressures

Immediate Actions

Call for help immediately

Turn up oxygen to 100%

Assess airway a. Check ET tube position and patency: length at teeth; pass suction catheterb. Difficulty passing suction catheter: consider tube obstruction or migration down a main bronchus

Assess chest: inspect, palpate, auscultatea. Consider pneumothoraxb. Consider endo-bronchial intubationc. Identify bronchospasm: administer salbutamol

Is the patient ‘fighting the ventilator’?a. Consider sedation bolus

Check ventilator and settings

Check connections and tubing for any obstruction or kinks

Disconnect patient from ventilator and bag manually with 100% oxygen

If SpO2 falling go to Falling SpO2 Action Card

Consider and rule out: • Displacement of airway

• Obstruction of circuit or ETT

• Tension pneumothorax

Graham Nimmo April 2020 Based on ACCP Transfer Action Cards NHS Lothian

123

6789

5

4

• Bronchospasm

• Cardiac arrest

• Ventilator dys-synchrony

Sudden Drop in SpO2 in the Intubated Patient

Immediate Actions

Call for help

Turn up oxygen to 100% and ensure it is getting there a. Cylinderb. Wall supplyc. Ventilator tubing connections

Assess airway a. Check ET tube position and patency: length at teeth; sounds of cuff leak; pass suction catheterb. Review ETCO2 tracec. Check ventilator function

Assess breathinga. Observe and palpate chest bilaterally for movementb. Auscultate bilaterallyc. Check ventilator function

Assess circulationa. Palpate carotid or femoral pulseb. Assess HR and BPc. Atropine or glycopyrronium for severe bradycardia

Check SpO2 probe position

If there is any doubt about ventilator function, disconnect the tubing from the tube and manually bag the patient with self-inflating bag with reservoir, and connected to 15 L/min oxygen.

Consider and rule out: • Disattachment of the circuit

• Displacement of airway

• Airway obstruction

• Pneumothorax

Graham Nimmo April 2020 Based on ACCP Transfer Action Cards NHS Lothian

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3

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• Cardiac arrest

• Failure of capnography monitoring

• Failure of ventilator equipment

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TracheostomyEmergencies

TheNAP4reporthighlightedthat70%ofallreportedairwayevents,and60%ofdeaths,involvedcomplications with tracheostomies. Disproportionally, dislodged or blocked tracheostomies were the majorcausesofmortalityandmorbidityonICU.Movementofpatientsincludingturningwascitedasamajorriskperiodforpatientswithtracheostomies.Inaddition,manyunitsdidnothavestandardisedguidelines or approaches to dealing with tracheostomy emergencies.

FollowingNAP4,theNationalTracheostomysafetyprojectpublishedguidelinesformanagementoftracheostomy and laryngectomy management.

Are you clear on the difference between a Tracheostomy and a Laryngectomy ?

• ATracheostomyisasemipermanentorpermanentopeningtothetrachea.Thereisapatentupperairwayandthepatientmaybeoxygenatedviathemouthorthetracheostomystoma.Theymayalsobecalleda“mouthbreather”

• ALaryngectomyisthesurgicalremovalofthelarynx,usuallycompletelyandpermanently.Theremnantsofthetracheaarestitchedtotheanteriorneck.Thereisnoconnectionfromthenoseormouthtothelungs.Thepatientcannotbeoxygenatedfromthetopend.Theymayalsobecalleda“neckbreather”

Falling and loss of End Tidal CO2Immediate Actions

Call for help immediately

Turn up oxygen to 100%

Assess airway a. Check ET tube position and patency: length at teeth; sounds of cuff leak; pass suction catheterb. Review ETCO2 trace and look at the chest to assess adequacy of ventilationc. If ET tube displaced but patient still ventilating hold on to tube until advanced airway help arrivesd. If ET tube displaced but patient not ventilating refer to Extubation Action Card.

Check ventilator, circuit connections and alarmsa. If low airway pressure disconnection or extubation is likely cause

Assess breathing and circulationa. Listen to the chest and look at SpO2 monitorb. Palpate carotid pulsec. Check blood pressure

Check CO2 monitora. Ensure capnograph monitoring line in circuitb. Ensure capnograph not obstructed

Consider and rule out: • Disattachment of the circuit

• Displacement of airway

• Airway obstruction

• Pneumothorax

Graham Nimmo April 2020 Based on ACCP Transfer Action Cards NHS Lothian

1

2

3

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• Cardiac arrest

• Failure of capnography monitoring

• Ventilator failure

50 51

Tracheostomyemergenciesaremanagedinastandardisedway,assetoutbythenationaltracheostomysafetyproject.

Theemergencymanagementalgorithmisavailableonthenextpage.

Youcanattendourteachingsessiononthemanagementoftracheostomyemergenciesathttps://www.futurelearn.com/courses/covid-19-critical-care-education-resource/1

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• Blended academic and clinical curriculum covering recognition, immediate treatment, and advanced therapies of a range of core and specialist critical care presentations.

• Delivered online - fit study around personal and work commitments.

• Multidisciplinary - open to any healthcare professional who treats critically ill adult patients (including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, dietitians and paramedics).

• Expert faculty - delivered by an international faculty with expertise in clinical and academic critical care.

• International peer group - study with colleagues from around the world and build a global professional network of like-minded individuals.

Why study an MSc, PgDip or PgCert in Critical Care with us?

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Disclaimer: Everyefforthasbeenmadebytheeditorsandcontributorstothehandbooktoensureinformationisaccurate,anduptodateatthetimeofpublication.Usersareadvisedtorefertolocalprotocolsandguidelines,and

torefertodrugandproductinformation,andtodetailedtextsforconfirmation.

Design: GraphicDesignService,LTW,ISG,TheUniversityofEdinburghwww.ed.ac.uk/is/graphic-design

Front cover image:LouandKirstyinWard20CriticalCare,WesternGeneralHospital,EdinburghbyDrRosieBaruah

TheUniversityofEdinburghisacharitablebody,registeredinScotland,withregistrationnumberSC005336.