Chest physiotherapy practice in intensive care units in Australia, the UK and Hong Kong

A questionnaire was sent to 34 hospitals in Australia, 33 in the UK and 11 in Hong Kong to investigate current physiotherapy work practices in intensive care units (ICUs). The questionnaires were returned from 32 hospitals in Australia, 21 in the UK and 9 in Hong Kong, giving a response rate of 94, 64 and 82% respectively. A 24-hour on-call physiotherapy service was available in 97% of the ICUs surveyed in the UK; however, this service was available in only 49% of the units in Australia and none of the ICUs in Hong Kong. Referral decisions were purely the verdict of the physiotherapist in 31% of the units in the UK and 27% of the units in Australia. This form of referral system, however, does not exist in Hong Kong. A physiotherapist's opinion was sought by medical staff in over 60% of the units in all three countries. The most commonly used techniques employed in all three countries were suctioning and vibration. Physiotherapists are more scientifically orientated in the UK and Australia - 28% of the units surveyed in the UK and 10% in Australia were involved in chest physiotherapy research. Hong Kong is out of step with other countries in this respect.