Respiratory failure and non-invasive respiratory support during the covid-19 pandemic: an update for re-deployed hospital doctors and primary care physicians
Thomas Nicholson, Nick P. Talbot, Annabel H. Nickol, Andrew Chadwick, Oliver Lawton
Abstract
Most patients who become seriously unwell with covid-19 do so primarily due to acute type 1 respiratory failure and benefit from early recognition of respiratory deterioration and appropriate escalation in respiratory support Respiratory deterioration can be identified by an increasing respiratory rate, an inability to talk in full sentences, the use of accessory muscles of breathing, decreasing oxygen levels in the blood, and an increased requirement for supplementary oxygen All patients with covid-19 admitted to hospital and many of those in the community should have a ceiling of care established at the earliest opportunity
Topics & Concepts
PandemicCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Medicine2019-20 coronavirus outbreakSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Respiratory systemPrimary careRespiratory careEmergency medicineRespiratory failureMedical emergencyBetacoronavirusIntensive care medicineFamily medicineVirologyInternal medicineInfectious disease (medical specialty)DiseaseOutbreakRespiratory Support and MechanismsFamily and Patient Care in Intensive Care UnitsCardiac Arrest and Resuscitation