Critical Care Outreach Service

The Critical Care Outreach Service team is based in the Intensive Care Unit (ITU) and consists of experienced nursing staff who are extending the service of critical care out to all areas of the hospital, supporting acute ward based teams in caring for patients who have an actual, or potential to develop, critical illness.  The service is closely involved in the care of patients once discharged from the Intensive Care Unit to provide support, advice and close monitoring.  

The Service cares for patients 24 hours a day providing safe clinical care out of hours to meet the immediate needs of patients.   It has also become an integral part of the stroke team, assessing patients who present with suspected or confirmed stroke and delivering thrombolysis to those as appropriate.

The implementation of the service has had a significant impact in reducing the incidence of cardiac arrest within the hospitalised patient, from 27 over a three month period to only 4 in the same period the proceeding year (85% decrease). This has been achieved by the promotion of early recognition of the deteriorating patient through education, sharing of skills, effective communication and appropriate care planning to ensure safe timely care specific to patient need.