One in three patients requiring emergency help with their breathing are dying, with staff and equipment shortages contributing to this poor outcome, the report revealed.
By contrast, only 18 per cent of patients receiving the treatment in Spain die each year while just ten per cent of French cases end in death.
The National Confidentiality Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death examined the treatment the 50,000 patients who receive emergency oxygen treatment each year, uncovering a series of major problems.
Of particular concern was the number of patients who receive non-invasive intervention (NIV) oxygen through a face mask, with the vast majority of the 353 patients examined receiving sub-standard care.
NIV is most commonly used to help patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – the fifth biggest killer in the UK and the second most common reason for hospital admissions. It is also commonly given for pneumonia.
source: independent