Assessing the deteriorating pt

Question 1

What is the response for a pt who is low score grading with obs?

Answer 1

Increased frequency of obs

NIC alerted

Question 2

What is the response to a pt who is medium score grading on their obs?

Answer 2

Urgent call to primary team for pt and personnel with core competencies for acute illness

Question 3

What is the response to a pt who is high scoring with obs?

Answer 3

Emergency to call to team with critical care competencies and diagnostic skills and advanced airway management and resuscitation skills
Immediate response

Question 4

What is the response to a pt scoring 1 on NEWs chart?

Answer 4

Minimum 12hrly obs

Continue routine monitoring

Question 5

What is the response to a pt who is scoring 1-4 on the MEWs chart?

Answer 5

4-6 hourly obs
Inform registered nurse
Decide if increased frequency of monitoring and or escalation of care is needed

Question 6

What is the response to a pt who is scoring 5+ or 3 in one parameter on the NEWs chart?

Answer 6

Hourly obs
Urgently contact medical team caring for pt
Urgent assessment by a clinician with care competencies to assess acutely ill pts
Clinical care in an environment with monitoring facilities

Question 7

What is the response to a pt scoring 7+ on the NEWs chart?

Answer 7

Continuos monitoring
Urgently contact medical team caring for pt (SpR level)
Emergency assessment by a clinical team with critical care competencies
Consider transfer to HDU or ITU

Question 8

What is important to remember about a deteriorating pt?

Answer 8

It can occur at any point in their care, especially: emergency admission, after surgery and during recovery