Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is support for a patient’s breathing using a mask or similar device, without the need for intubation or a tracheostomy. The most common condition that NIV is used to treat in hospital is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the fifth biggest killer in the UK and the second most common reason for hospital admission. A study published in 2000 demonstrated the effectiveness of NIV delivered by nursing staff on UK respiratory wards, reducing mortality from 20% to 10%, when compared to standard care.
Emergency Nurse. 25, 5, 11-11. doi: 10.7748/en.25.5.11.s11
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