intermediate care

mum did not respond to the 5 x nebulizers administered to her in the a&e. she was subsequently transferred to the intermediate care ward for further treatment. the doctor had advised that we let her rest and receive treatment at this ward. and should she still fail to respond and that her condition deteriorates, we might want to have her placed on a mask and if she still does not respond, could consider escalating the treatment to that of assisted breathing where the respiratory machine would be used to take over the breathing for her. and should this situation developed, she would be transferred to the intensive care unit (icu) and that she would be required to be put into an unconscious state (induced coma? - if that is the word to use).

as always, my principle is that when and if the patient is conscious, he / she should be consulted and to make the decision. that was what i did. i asked mum about it and after careful explanation to her about the options, she agreed said "do whatever is needed". well, that is my mum. forever a fighter. well, as it stands now, she has stabilized somewhat and that a respiratory team had been placed on alert to respond to her should her condition deteriorate.

let's hope for the best.