Rethinking the problem of clinically deteriorating patients: Time for theory-informed solutions

It is over 20 years since McQuillan et  al.1 reported deficiencies in clinical care that in-patients in hospital wards received before being transferred to an intensive care unit (ICU). In more than half of cases, there was poor recognition of changes to vital signs and delays in contacting a more senior clinician resulting in increased patient mortality, morbidity, and resource consumption in the ICU.1 These results have been echoed in multiple studies across the world since that time. Common across this work is the vulnerability of hospitalised patients who clinically deteriorate without appropriate recognition and intervention and the urgent need for a system-wide approach to strengthen care in this area and ensure patient safety.
Source: Australian Critical Care - Category: Nursing Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research