Critical Care Nursing in Resource Limited Environments

All hospitals have critically ill patients, and their management depends upon the resources available. In many low income countries, critically ill patients may be admitted to a critical care unit; however, many are nursed on wards due to a lack of critical care beds or simply die before they reach the hospital.
This book provides guidance on the unique situations for nurses working in these challenging environments, while considering ethical decision-making, providing appropriate services, and the types of patients admitted. Topics covered include:

working in a resource limited environment;


cultural awareness and international agendas;


provision and access to healthcare services;


ethical considerations in the context of resource limited environments;


best practice and knowledge regarding rehabilitation, pain management, managing a major incident;


relevant research concerning resource limited environments.




Critical Care Nursing in Resource Limited Environments prepares readers to consider how best to utilise their skills and deliver safe patient care within a resource limited context. Each easy-to-read chapter provides core knowledge and relevant research, as well as useful ideas and solutions, with further reading sections to signpost readers to key international resources. This text provides practical ideas for nurses working in critical care and defence nursing, and acute areas in resource limited environments. It can also be used to support educational courses and pre-deployment training for nurses hoping to work in Global Health.

1. Introduction: Expect the unexpected
2. Working in a resource limited environment
3. Cultural awareness and sensitivities Sue Viveash
4. International agendas
5. Access and provision of healthcare services
6. Providing critical care in resource limited environments
7. Critical care equipment
8. Environmental and infection prevention control considerations
9. Managing a major incident in critical care
10. Ethical considerations and mission creep
11. Recognition of the acutely ill patient
12. Oxygen therapy and monitoring
13. Mechanical ventilation
14. Sepsis and septic shock
15. HIV
16. Tuberculosis
17. Tropical medicine
18. Malaria
19. Tetanus
20. Cholera
21. Sickle cell anaemia
22. Principles of trauma care
23. Principles of burns care
24. Surgical care
25. Principles of wound care
26. Surgical site infection
27. Pain management
28. Women's health
29. Paediatrics
30. Organophosphate poisoning
31. Snake and scorpion bites
32. Hypertension
33. Diabetic keto-acidosis
34. Resuscitation
35. Useful calculations
36. Rehabilitation and physiotherapy
37. Nutrition
38. Sharing best practice and knowledge
39. Conducting audit and research in resource limited environments