Table 2

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) service staff training checklist

#SpecificationsIs it met? Y/N/partially/plannedCommentsAction requiredTimescalePerson responsible
The purpose of this specification is to improve the quality of care provided to patients receiving acute NIV. Issues in relation to the timeliness, appropriateness, location, level of care and competency of staff treating patients with acute NIV have been highlighted.
1 Provision of an NIV training programme for staff with responsibility to start or continue NIV.
2 Training portfolios of nurses/physiotherapists/ doctors/physiologists confirm that they have attended such training.
3 Staffing arrangements such that new/untrained members of staff with any responsibility for the care of patients treated with NIV are directly supervised by a trained member of staff until NIV competence is achieved and documented.
4 A rolling competency maintenance framework that is appropriate for their continued practice. This will differ according to role with the recommended approach as follows:
(1) Healthcare professionals with responsibility to make practical changes to NIV (eg, setting up NIV, adjusting ventilator settings and mask):

  • annual review of competence, ideally observed by the trust lead for training.

(2) Healthcare professionals with responsibility for clinical decisions regarding NIV therapy:

  • New staff (eg, rotating ST3+ grade) should receive a review of the theory and evidence base for NIV as part of their induction.

  • Existing staff (eg, consultant with on-call responsibility for NIV) should review their competence annually via appraisal/mandatory training and should ensure attendance at an acute medical update that includes NIV within each revalidation cycle.

  • Adapted from BTS/ICS Guidelines for the Ventilatory Management of Acute Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure in Adults (March 2016) and National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (July 2017) – Inspiring Change – Acute Non-Invasive Ventilation.