We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Privacy Policy

Feedback

Equipment

The Intensive Care Unit can be a very strange and sometimes overwhelming place. Under normal circumstances, family members have a really important role to play, in explaining what happened to their loved one whilst in Intensive Care. During the coronavirus outbreak, however, families are not allowed to visit the Intensive Care Unit. It's important that patients and family members understand what happens in Intensive Care. In this section, we have provided easy to understand descriptions of some of the most commonly used equipment and treatments in Intensive Care and why they are used.

You have 17 results.

Apply a filter below to refine your search results.

Step 1:

Step 2:

Sort By

Article: Infusion pumps

Infusion pumps come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, but they all do the same thing; they allow us to accurately control the amount of fluids, medication or liquid food we give to the patient. The nurse will normally check each infusion pump every hour to make sure that the correct amount of fluids, medication or liquid food has been given. Pumps have in-built alarms, which let us know if there is a problem e.g. if there is a kink in the tubing or if an infusion is coming to an end.

Article: Kidney machine or "filter"

What is a kidney machine or filter? A kidney machine or filter is a form of kidney or renal support.It is also known as Continuous Veno Venous Haemofiltration (CVVH). We prefer to use this form of support in Intensive Care as it is gentler on the heart and circulation than other forms of kidney or renal support eg dialysis. Many patients with COVID-19 will need support from a kidney machine. What is a kidney machine or filter used for? The filter or kidney machine is a machine that...

Article: Monitors

Every bed in the ICU has a monitor that will display what we call the patient's “vital signs”. These typically include the heart rate and rhythm (or ECG), blood pressure, oxygen levels (or “saturation”), respiratory (or breathing) pattern and fluid status (CVP or “central venous pressure”).The nurses will keep a constant eye on the monitor and will carefully record the vital signs in the patient's charts.The monitor has in built alarms that will...

Web Link: NHS Videos: Intensive Care and recovery

This link will take you to the NHS video library on Intensive Care. There is a range of short videos on many aspects of ICU and recovery. Topics include: The Critical (or Intensive) Care Unit Children, families & Critical (or Intensive) Care Step down to the ward Physical recovery Common psychological problems Hallucinations Nightmares, dreams & poor sleep Stress & anxiety PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) Memory loss Going home Research

Article: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

PPE stands for Personal Protective Equipment. It includes gloves, aprons, face masks and visors, tight-fitting respirators (breathing masks), and fluid repelling gowns. It is designed to protect staff from being exposed to COVID-19 while delivering patient care. Staff are carefully trained in its use and disposal, including separate, dedicated areas where they put on (“don”) and take off (“doff”) their PPE e.g. when starting and ending shifts or taking breaks.

Article: Ventilator or breathing machine

What is a ventilator? The ventilator is also sometimes called a breathing machine or life support machine. Many patients with COVID-19 will need this sort of help with their breathing. How does a ventilator work? The ventilator or breathing machine is connected to the patient via a tubing system and a tube that is inserted into the patient's mouth and windpipe (a breathing tube, endotracheal or ET tube) .Sometimes the patient is connected to the ventilator via a tube that is...

Web Link: Ventilator or breathing machine: a short animated video

This link will take you to a short, animated video on what ventilators, breathing machines or life support machines do, and how they work.The video also describes some of the complications of spending time on a ventilator, breathing or life support machine. It's around 5 minutes long. We hope you find it helpful.