Management of the Patient with Suspected Acute Respiratory Failure: Priorities - Flowchart
Management of the Patient with Suspected Acute Respiratory Failure: Priorities - Flowchart Management of the Patient with Suspected Acute Respiratory Failure: Priorities Management of the Patient with Suspected Acute Respiratory Failure: Priorities
Flowchart

Suspected respiratory failure


Respiratory distress
Respiratory rate < 8 or >30 breaths/min
Unexpained agitation, confusion or reduced conscious level
Arterial oxygen saturation < 90%

Suspected respiratory failure


Respiratory distress
Respiratory rate < 8 or >30 breaths/min
Unexpained agitation, confusion or reduced conscious level
Arterial oxygen saturation < 90%

Suspected respiratory failure

Suspected respiratory failure


Respiratory distress
Respiratory rate < 8 or >30 breaths/min
Unexpained agitation, confusion or reduced conscious level
Arterial oxygen saturation < 90%


Respiratory distress
Respiratory rate < 8 or >30 breaths/min
Unexpained agitation, confusion or reduced conscious level
Arterial oxygen saturation < 90%

Call the resuscitation team and/or the intensive care team

Call the resuscitation team and/or the intensive care team

Call the resuscitation team and/or the intensive care team

Call the resuscitation team and/or the intensive care team

End

End

End

Priority 2: Prevention of life-threatening hypoxia

Priority 3: Prevention of life-threatening hypercapnia

Priority 4: Diagnose and treat the underlying cause

Priority 2: Prevention of life-threatening hypoxia

Priority 3: Prevention of life-threatening hypercapnia

Priority 4: Diagnose and treat the underlying cause

Priority 2: Prevention of life-threatening hypoxia

Priority 2: Prevention of life-threatening hypoxia

Priority 3: Prevention of life-threatening hypercapnia

Priority 3: Prevention of life-threatening hypercapnia

Priority 4: Diagnose and treat the underlying cause

Priority 4: Diagnose and treat the underlying cause

Priority 1: Establish if the patient requires urgent endotrancheal intubation and mechanical ventilation:


Is there severe upper airway obstruction?
Is there inability to protect airway due to decreased consciousness (GCS < 8)?
Is there impending respiratory or cardiac arrest?
Is there severe hypoxia despite high flow oxygen or severe acidosis/hypercapnia?

Priority 1: Establish if the patient requires urgent endotrancheal intubation and mechanical ventilation:


Is there severe upper airway obstruction?
Is there inability to protect airway due to decreased consciousness (GCS < 8)?
Is there impending respiratory or cardiac arrest?
Is there severe hypoxia despite high flow oxygen or severe acidosis/hypercapnia?

Priority 1: Establish if the patient requires urgent endotrancheal intubation and mechanical ventilation:

Priority 1: Establish if the patient requires urgent endotrancheal intubation and mechanical ventilation:


Is there severe upper airway obstruction?
Is there inability to protect airway due to decreased consciousness (GCS < 8)?
Is there impending respiratory or cardiac arrest?
Is there severe hypoxia despite high flow oxygen or severe acidosis/hypercapnia?


Is there severe upper airway obstruction?
Is there inability to protect airway due to decreased consciousness (GCS < 8)?
Is there impending respiratory or cardiac arrest?
Is there severe hypoxia despite high flow oxygen or severe acidosis/hypercapnia?

Yes

Yes

Yes Yes

No

No

No No