Blogs

Pneumonia is defined by the National Institute for Health Care Excellence (NICE) as an infection of the lung tissue whereby the air sacs in the lungs become filled with microorganisms, fluid, and inflammatory cells impairing lung function.

An effective mucociliary escalator will transport mucus, with any captured foreign particles, in an upstream direction towards the upper airway away from the alveoli.

According to Health Education England (2020), Healthcare organisations need to ensure that the information they provide, and the way it is communicated, are at an appropriate level for most of the population to understand.

RSV usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, but can lead to more serious issues such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia which may require respiratory support, leading to hospital admission. 

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) are widely used therapies and effective treatments for individuals with respiratory failure, sleep apnoea or cardiogenic pulmonary oedema.

Hypoxemia is defined as inadequate tissue oxygenation due to either inadequate blood flow or arterial oxygen content.

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a severe lung condition characterised by rapid onset of widespread inflammation in the lungs.

Bronchiolitis is a common chest infection that affects babies and children under two and due to its high frequency, acute bronchiolitis ranks among the costliest children’s conditions in western countries.

The environment of the neonatal care setting is one of the most complex, with perhaps the biggest range of specialties working within one ‘ward’ in the best interests of the baby.

The use of High Flow Oxygen Therapy (HFOT) is increasing both for Preoxygenation and Apnoeic Ventilation (particularly for ENT cases), but also for difficult airway management and Rapid Sequence Induction (RSI).