RECOGNISING AND RESPONDING TO THE DETERIORATING PATIENT

The timely and appropriate identification of, and response to, a patient's deteriorating condition by health professionals is essential for optimal patient outcomes and the avoidance of preventable harm. National regulatory authorities, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, State, Territory and federal health departments, health care facilities and institutions have all recognised the importance of implementing frameworks, standards and processes to facilitate the prompt recognition of the deteriorating patient and appropriate mechanisms for responding to and escalating such matters. Factors that may affect identification and response include the level of knowledge and skill of the health professionals, the culture of the organisation and the parameters of the assessment and audit tools. The 2014 findings of the Coroner in the inquest into the death of Graeme Barry Gulliver highlights the significance to nursing practice of recognising and responding to the deteriorating patient in an appropriate and timely manner.