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Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Preoxygenation Techniques for Tracheal Intubation in Critically Ill Adults Utilizing Oxygen Mask and Noninvasive Ventilation
Published on: December 5, 2025
Use of non-invasive ventilation in UK emergency departments
1Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, 25 Little France Crescent, Lauriston Place, Edinburgh EH3 9YW, UK;alasdair.gray@luht.scot.nhs.uk.
Aim:
To describe the current use of non-invasive ventilation in UK emergency departments.
Methods:
A structured questionnaire was sent to all UK emergency departments assessing 25,000 new patients annually.
Results:
222 of 233 departments completed the questionnaire. 148 currently use non-invasive ventilation (NIV). Most used NIV for either cardiogenic pulmonary oedema (n = 128) or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n = 115). Only 49 departments have protocols for NIV use and 23 audited practice.
Conclusion:
NIV is commonly used in UK emergency departments. Practices vary significantly. One solution would be the development of guidelines on when and how to use NIV in emergency medicine practice.
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