1. Advanced Respiratory Support
· Mechanical ventilatory support excluding mask continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) or non-invasive (e.g. mask) ventilation.
· Possibility of a sudden, precipitous deterioration in respiratory function requiring immediate tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation.
2 Basic Respiratory Monitoring and Support
· The need for more than 40% oxygen via fixed performance mask.
· The possibility of progressive deterioration to the point of needing advanced respiratory support (see above).
· The need for physiotherapy to clear secretions at least two-hourly, whether via a tracheostomy, a mini-tracheostomy, or in the absence of an artificial airway.
· Patients recently extubated after a prolonged period of intubation and mechanical ventilation.
· Patients who are intubated to protect the airway, but needing no ventilatory support and who are otherwise stable.
3. Circulatory Support
· Need for vasoactive drugs to support arterial pressure or cardiac output.
· Support for circulatory instability due to hypovolaemia from any cause and which is unresponsive to modest volume replacement. This will include, but not be limited to, post-surgical or gastrointestinal haemorrhage or haemorrhage related to a coagulopathy.
· Patients resuscitated following cardiac arrest where intensive or high dependency care is considered appropriate.