Communicating with the ventilated patient--a literature review

This review will directly examine the role of the intensive care nurse as a communicator in the provision of holistic nursing care to the ventilated patient Frequent occurrences of breakdown in the process of communication are identified In many cases nurse communication with the patient is only on a task-orientated basis A lack of effective communication may be attributable to psychological problems related to 'ITU syndrome' The critical care nurse is at the forefront in the delivery of a first class National Health Service and a breakdown in communication between the nurse and their patient can be perceived as poor nursing care.