Level 4: Urgent Care
The patient is in a highly unstable and unpredictable condition either
related to their primary problem or an exacerbation of other related factors.
Nursing Theme 2 - Respiration
- First 24 hours following tracheostomy insertion or ongoing care of an unstable tracheostomy
- Patients in acute respiratory failure, requiring non-invasive ventilation or respiratory support using CPAP or BiPAP
- Greater than 50% oxygen continuously
- CNS depression of airway and reflective reflexes
- Frequent de-saturations on high flow oxygen
- High risk of aspiration or requires oral pharyngeal suction