Organ system | Definition of level of support |
---|---|
Basic respiratory | • > 50% oxygen delivered by face mask |
• Close observation due to the potential for acute deterioration | |
• Physiotherapy or suction to clear secretions at least two hourly | |
• Patients recently extubated after a prolonged period of intubation and mechanical ventilation | |
• Mask CPAP or non-invasive ventilation. | |
• Patients who are intubated to protect the airway but needing no ventilatory support and who are otherwise stable | |
Advanced respiratory | • Invasive mechanical ventilatory support |
• Extracorporeal respiratory support | |
Basic cardiovascular | • Treatment of circulatory instability due to hypovolaemia |
• Use of a CVP line for basic monitoring or central access | |
• Use of an arterial line for basic monitoring or sampling | |
• Single intravenous vasoactive | |
• Intravenous drugs to control cardiac arrhythmias | |
• Non-invasive measurement of cardiac | |
Advanced cardiovascular | • Multiple intravenous vasoactive and/or rhythm controlling drugs |
• Patients resuscitated after cardiac arrest where intensive therapy is considered clinically appropriate. | |
• Observation of cardiac output and derived | |
• Intra aortic balloon pumping. | |
• Temporary cardiac | |
• Placement of a gastrointestinal tonometer | |
Renal | • Acute renal replacement therapy |
Neurological | • Central nervous system depression sufficient to prejudice the airway and protective reflexes |
• Invasive neurological monitoring | |
• Severely agitated or epileptic patients requiring constant nursing attention and/or heavy sedation | |
Gastrointestinal | • Feeding with parenteral or enteral nutrition |
Dermatological | • Patients with major skin rashes, exfoliation or burns |
• Use of multiple, large trauma dressings | |
• Use of complex dressings | |
Liver | • Extracorporeal liver replacement device |