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Recognising signs and symptoms of patient deterioration
Author: Michelle Felton
Date: December 2012
Journal: Emergency Nurse
Issue: Volume 20, Number 8
Keywords: Assessment, deteriorating patients, observations
Patients’ conditions can deteriorate quickly and potentially result in unnecessary death. Although this is more common in acute clinical settings, it can happen in any setting, and all nurses should be aware of signs of deterioration. In many cases, patient deterioration appears to happen quickly, but actually begins up to 24 hours before a critical phase. This article presents a case study based on events witnessed by the author while working in a hospital emergency department outside the area in which she is usually employed. It is intended to illustrate the importance of making and documenting regular observations in acute patient care, and to help nurses recognise the need for continued assessment of deteriorating patients.
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The RCN Publishing Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Royal College of Nursing, the world's largest organisation for nurses. RCN Publishing produces one weekly, eight monthly and two quarterly nursing publications. Nursing Standard, the flagship journal, is the UK's biggest selling weekly for nursing. It is produced by RCN Publishing Company along with a suite of specialist nursing journals - Cancer Nursing Practice, Mental Health Practice, Learning Disability Practice, Nursing Children and Young People, Nursing Management, Emergency Nurse, Nursing Older People, Nurse Researcher and Primary Health Care. RCN Publishing Company also produce the RCN Bulletin, a major source of up-to-the-minute information for RCN members in all specialities, grades and working environments. With the latest nurse vacancies from trusts nationwide, it has become the most cost-effective nurse recruitment magazine available.