10 March 2011
Improving the safety of administration of Emergency Oxygen in adult patients across the UK: introduction of the The BTS guideline for emergency oxygen use in adult patients - winner in the 2011 Patient Safety Award for Patient Safety in Clinical Practice
http://www.patientsafetyawards.com/

Partners: Southend University Hospital,  Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trusts and  British Thoracic Society

Oxygen is the most commonly used drug in emergency medicine. It is essential in severely ill patients with low blood oxygen levels. However, too much oxygen may cause 2,000-4,000 avoidable deaths per year in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease flare ups.  Too much oxygen is also linked to increased risk of death in strokes, ICU patients and survivors of cardiac arrest.

Click here for the full presentation (powerpoint presentation will download)