A before and after study assessing the impact of a new model for recognizing and responding to early signs of deterioration in an acute hospital.

Aim: To evaluate the impact of a new model for the detection and management of deteriorating patients on knowledge and confidence of nursing staff in an acute hospital.

Background: International evidence shows that clinical deterioration is not always recognized or acted on by nurses. The use of physiological track and trigger scoring systems accompanied by a graded response strategy has been recommended to monitor all adult patients in acute UK hospitals.

Standards for nurse staffing in critical care units determined by: The British Association of Critical Care Nurses, The Critical Care Networks National Nurse Leads, Royal College of Nursing Critical Care and In-flight Forum.

Background: Since 1967 the gold standard for nurse staffing levels in intensive care and subsequently critical care units has been one nurse for each patient. However, critical care has changed substantially since that time and in recent years this standard has been challenged. Previously individual nursing organisations such as the British Association of Critical Care Nurses (BACCN) and the Royal College of Nursing have produced guidance on staffing levels for critical care units.

British Association of Critical Care Nurses position statement on prescribing in critical care.

Background: Nurses in the UK are now one group of non-medical staff who can prescribe. This practice is evolving for critical care nursing staff who care for critically ill patients during their stay in hospital through ward and outpatient follow-up after admission to critical care.

Aim: The purposes of this paper were to present existing information regarding prescribing to support nurses in critical care currently prescribing and to inform those who are intending to prescribe.

The provision of critical care outreach services in England: findings from a national survey.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe the development, introduction, implementation, and current models of critical care outreach services.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a national postal survey of National Health Service acute care hospitals in England that routinely provide care for level 1 patients (n = 239).

Results: Completed questionnaires were received from 191 (79.

Investigating the effectiveness of critical care outreach services: a systematic review.

Objective: We explored the impact of critical care outreach activity on patient and service outcomes and aimed to contribute to developing a typology of critical care outreach services.

Design: Following a sample search of Medline 15 relevant electronic databases were systematically searched from 1996 to 2004. Searches for publications from nine key authors and citations of eight key articles were performed.

British Association of Critical Care Nurses position statement on the use of restraint in adult critical care units.

Critical care nurses in the United Kingdom have become increasingly concerned about the use, potential abuse and risks associated with physical restraint of patients. Restraint in critical care is not only confined to physical restraint but can also encompass chemical and psychological methods. There are concerns regarding the legal and ethical issues relating to the (ab)use of physical restraint techniques in critical care.