Critical Care Manual of Clinical Procedures and Competencies

This manual is aimed at all healthcare practitioners, from novice to expert, who care for the critically ill patient, recognising that different disciplines contribute to the provision of effective care and that essential knowledge and skills are shared by all practitioners. It provides evidence-based guidelines on core critical care procedures and includes a comprehensive competency framework and specific competencies to enable practitioners to assess their abilities and expertise. Each chapter provides a comprehensive overview, beginning with basic principles and progressing to more complex ideas, to support practitioners to develop their knowledge, skills and competencies in critical care.

This manual is aimed at all healthcare practitioners, from novice to expert, who care for the critically ill patient, recognising that different disciplines contribute to the provision of effective care and that essential knowledge and skills are shared by all practitioners. It provides evidence-based guidelines on core critical care procedures and includes a comprehensive competency framework and specific competencies to enable practitioners to assess their abilities and expertise. Each chapter provides a comprehensive overview, beginning with basic principles and progressing to more complex ideas, to support practitioners to develop their knowledge, skills and competencies in critical care.

List of contributorsForeword by Julian BionForeword by Ged WilliamsPrefaceList of abbreviationsChapter 1 Scope and delivery of evidence-based careJohn W. Albarran and Annette RichardsonChapter 2 Competency-based practiceJulie Scholes, Jo Richmond and Jane MallettChapter 3 Recognizing and managing the critically ill and'at risk' patient on a wardMandy OdellChapter 4 Admitting a critically ill patientVanessa Gibson and Karen HillChapter 5 Assessment, monitoring and interventions for therespiratory systemMaureen Coombs, Judy Dyos, David Waters and Ian NesbittChapter 6 Monitoring of the cardiovascular system: insertion andassessmentAlan T. Platt, Sarah Conolly and Jonathan RoundChapter 7 Titration of inotropes and vasopressorsKirsty RutledgeChapter 8 Assessment and support of hydration and nutritionstatus and careKirsty Rutledge and Ian NesbittChapter 9 Continuous renal replacement therapies: assessmentmonitoring and careAnnette Richardson and Jayne WhatmoreChapter 10 Assessment and monitoring of analgesia, sedationdelirium and neuromuscular blockade levels and carePhil Laws and Nicola RudallChapter 11 Assessment and monitoring of neurologicalstatusMargaret A. Douglas and Sarah E.C. PlattChapter 12 Assessment and care of tissue viability, and mouthand eye hygiene needsPhilip Woodrow, Judy Elliott and Pauline BeldonChapter 13 Assessment of sleep and sleep promotionAnnette Richardson, Micheala Allsop and Elaine CoghillChapter 14 Physical mobility and exercise interventions forcritically ill patientsD.J. McWilliams and Amanda ThomasChapter 15 Transfer of the critically ill patientAndrew Baker and Simon M. WhiteleyChapter 16 Rehabilitation from critical illnessCatherine I. Plowright and Christina JonesChapter 17 Withdrawal of treatment and end of life care for thecritically ill patientNatalie A. PattisonChapter 18 Cardiopulmonary resuscitationJackie S. Younker and Jasmeet SoarReferences and further readingUseful websitesIndex