Critical care on Role 2 Afloat: a nursing perspective

Area of Science:

• Maritime Medicine
• Critical Care Nursing
• Naval Health

Background:

• Role 2 Afloat facilities provide essential medical support in maritime environments.
• Critical care delivery at sea presents unique logistical and clinical challenges.
• Specialist nurses play a vital role in managing complex patient needs in deployed settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the practical experience of specialist nurses delivering critical care during a Role 2 Afloat exercise.
• To identify key lessons learned from providing advanced medical care in a maritime setting.
• To outline the limitations inherent in critical care provision within a Role 2 Afloat team.

Main Methods:

• Descriptive account of clinical experiences by two specialist critical care nurses.
• Analysis of challenges and successes encountered during a simulated maritime exercise.
• Qualitative review of critical care capabilities and constraints.

Main Results:

• Successful management of simulated critical care scenarios at sea.
• Identification of specific equipment, training, and environmental factors impacting care.
• Recognition of the need for enhanced protocols and resources for maritime critical care.

Conclusions:

• Specialist nurses are crucial for effective Role 2 Afloat critical care.
• Maritime critical care provision requires addressing identified limitations for optimal outcomes.
• Further development of capabilities is needed to fully support complex patient needs at sea.