Care of children within adult general intensive care units during a pandemic flu
In line with Department of Health and professional guidance it is recognised that a pandemic flu outbreak will present with a number of ethical and professional dilemmas, not usual in normal circumstances. Despite new challenges and workforce pressures, practitioners should strive to deliver a quality service to patients/users at all times, and comply with the principles in the NMC Code1. It is appreciated that the focus will be upon making the best use of staff and beds, with many staff working in different locations and undertaking unfamiliar roles,2 providing levels of treatment and care that differ from those recommended by usual protocols and policies.
All nurses and midwives are expected to practise within their competency level and acknowledge the limitations of their professional practice3.
The primary consideration of nurses and midwives at all times must be to act in the best interests and safety of patients in their care. If working outside of their normal area or scope of practice, nurses must consider their duty of care to the public. Employers must ensure that nurses are competent (and have been assessed) to carry out duties which they are requested to undertake.
In ensuring preparedness for a flu pandemic an organisation should ensure that
- - operational plans encompass policies and protocols to address the likelihood of children being care for in adult intensive care environments
- - preparation must address the availability of equipment and consumables to meet the needs of children
- - plans are in place for registered children’s nurses to be deployed to work alongside registered adult nurses within the adult general intensive care unit to care for children and young people
- - preparation training plans should include education packages for staff within adult intensive care environments in the care of children, including paediatric life support skills and the administration of medication
Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive and General Secretary, Royal College of Nursing
Tracy Pilcher, Chair British Association of Critical Care Nurses
1 NMC (2008) The Code: Standards of conduct, performance and ethics for nurses and midwives
2 NHS Employers and Department of Health (2008) Pandemic Influenza Human Resources guidance for the NHS www.dh.gov.uk/publications
3 NMC position on the role of registered nurses and midwives during an influenza pandemic Wednesday 6th May 2009 www.nmc-uk.org/aarticleprint.aspx?ArticleID=3691
Appendix 1
