An overview of mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit
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An overview of mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit

Zoe Joanne Elliot Advanced critical care practitioner, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
Stuart Charlton Elliot Advanced critical care practitioner trainee, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England

This article discusses the history, types and essential components of mechanical ventilation. It addresses the potential complications associated with mechanical ventilation and outlines the nurse’s role in the recognition and prevention of such complications. This article provides an overview of some of the advances in mechanical ventilation and emphasises the importance of patient safety through an awareness of the associated risks and limiting or avoiding mechanical ventilation where possible.

Nursing Standard. 32, 28, 41-49. doi: 10.7748/ns.2018.e10710

Correspondence

Z.Elliot@nhs.net

Peer review

This article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software

Conflict of interest

None declared

Online

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Received: 05 October 2016

Accepted: 14 July 2017

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