Recognising and responding to clinical deterioration

One of the biggest challenges in safety and quality is to ensure that patients whose clinical status deteriorates, receive appropriate and timely care.

All patients should receive comprehensive care irrespective of their location in the hospital or the time of day.

The following eight elements describe the essential features for systems of care to recognise and respond to clinical deterioration:

Clinical processes

• measurement and documentation of observations
• escalation of care
• rapid response systems
• clinical communication.

Organisational prerequisites

• organisational supports
• education
• evaluation, audit and feedback
• technological systems and solutions.

SA Health will soon begin implementing tools and strategies, produced by the National Commission for Safety and Quality in Health Care, to introduce systems which will better manage clinical deterioration.

Contact

Christy Pirone

Principal Consultant

Telephone: (08) 8226 6304