Abstract
M.Cur.
The intensive care nurse practising respiratory nursing care, is
responsible for giving high quality nursing care. Due to the rising
cost of health care more pressure is placed on the nurse to provide a
high quality nursing care (Sanazaro, 1986:27)
Bruwer (1986:220-245) states that there is a need for an orderly,
methodical qua l Ity assurance approach on all nursing levels in South
Africa, based on a South African model, as well as the development of
nursing standards for public and private hospitals.
Mechanical ventilation forms an important part of the nursing of the
adult critically ill patient in the intensive care unit. To ensure
that the patient benefits from mechanical ventilation and does not
suffer from complications due to mechanical ventilation, standards
must be developed to ensure the giving of a high quality of nursing
care. Without these standards it is impossible to determine the
quality of their nursing care given. The quality can furthermore,only
be questioned and not be determined scientifically.
Standards for providing high quality nursing care to mechanically
ventilated patients do not exist in South Africa. The quality of the
nursing care that these patients receive is therefore questioned.