Using non-invasive ventilation in acute wards: Part 1

Abstract

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is increasingly being used in domestic and acute health settings. Part one of this article identifies the benefits of NIV and describes the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Part two, published in next week's Nursing Standard, discusses bilevel NIV, which has fewer complications and so is largely replacing CPAP. Part two also examines how to monitor and assess patients receiving NIV.