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Emerg Med J 2006;23:920-921 doi:10.1136/emj.2006.038950
  • Short report

Use of non-invasive ventilation in UK emergency departments

  1. J Browning,
  2. B Atwood,
  3. A Gray,
  4. on behalf of the 3CPO trial group
  1. Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
  1. Correspondence to:
 A Gray
 Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, 25 Little France Crescent, Lauriston Place, Edinburgh EH3 9YW, UK;alasdair.gray{at}luht.scot.nhs.uk
  • Accepted 5 September 2006

Abstract

Aim: To describe the current use of non-invasive ventilation in UK emergency departments.

Methods: A structured questionnaire was sent to all UK emergency departments assessing 25,000 new patients annually.

Results: 222 of 233 departments completed the questionnaire. 148 currently use non-invasive ventilation (NIV). Most used NIV for either cardiogenic pulmonary oedema (n = 128) or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n = 115). Only 49 departments have protocols for NIV use and 23 audited practice.

Conclusion: NIV is commonly used in UK emergency departments. Practices vary significantly. One solution would be the development of guidelines on when and how to use NIV in emergency medicine practice.

Footnotes

  • Competing interests: None.

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