Why is this topic important? Breathing problems can kill patients almost as quickly as airway problems and can thus be a common cause of death in patients with COVID-19.
For whom: This section will be relevant to all health care practitioners caring for patients with COVID-19 but may be of particular relevance to (in order):
- Physicians from acute care specialties covering intensive care during the pandemic;
- Non-critical care nurses covering intensive care during the pandemic;
- A refresher for anaesthesiologists, critical care physicians, and respiratory therapists.
Your potential role: Depending on jurisdiction and regulatory conditions, in extreme conditions, physicians from acute care specialties without advanced breathing skills maybe required to manage a patient who needs support for their breathing (ventilation). The non-critical care nurse may end up supporting this activity.