The Critical Care Outreach Service at the Ulster Hospital plays a vital role in ensuring that deteriorating patients on the wards receive specialist care, aiming to prevent unnecessary admissions to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
This dedicated team of four highly skilled Critical Care staff provides essential support, guidance and training to ward staff, helping them manage patients effectively.
The team’s proactive approach ensures that patients who require critical care receive timely intervention and for those who have been in ICU, that they receive continued support as they transition back to ward-level care.
Critical Care Outreach Nurse, Sandra Murphy highlighted the service’s impact, explaining, “We respond to deteriorating patients on the wards, including those with laryngectomies, tracheostomies, oxygen needs, rib fractures, or suspected Sepsis. We also facilitate patient transfers within the hospital and respond to cardiac arrests. Our team is a vital link between the ICU and the wards.”
The service recently expanded from a Monday-to-Friday schedule to a seven-day service, operating 12 hours daily. This change was based on feedback from a staff survey that highlighted the need for extended support and additional education.
Critical Care Lead Nurse, Shauna Lynam explained, “Our survey showed clear demand for our service beyond weekdays. We are now available seven days a week, ensuring that staff and patients receive consistent support. The demand for the service is very clear, that the team is doing a valuable job supporting staff and our deteriorating patients.”
Highlighting the benefits of the Critical Care Outreach Service, Consultant Intensivist, Dr Padraig Headley said, “The Critical Care Outreach team brings critical care expertise directly to the wards, improving patient outcomes by ensuring they receive the right care at the right time. Ultimately we need to get the patient to the right location to provide further treatment to improve their deterioration and give them the ongoing care that they need.”
Critical Care Outreach Nurse, Richard Moore emphasised the importance of training adding, “Training is one of our core roles. We provide instruction on using Airvo machines, managing tracheostomies, laryngectomies, central lines and arterial lines. Our goal is to equip ward staff with the skills to safely manage patients before they require intensive care.”
