ABSTRACT
Find out what equipment is available within your skills laboratory or your practice
area, for monitoring acutely ill patients. In particular, look for:
• Resuscitation Council (UK) guidelines posters (you can also look at these on the website www.resus.org.uk);
Less than 20 per cent of patients who undergo a cardiac arrest in hospital survive
to be discharged home (Peberdy et al. 2003). Smith and Poplett (2002) identified
that medical staff and nurses do not possess adequate acute care skills to recognise
deteriorating patients and monitor them effectively. Deterioration is usually preceded
by changes in the physiological parameters that represent failing respiratory,
cardiovascular and neurological systems. Recognition of these changes and dealing
with them appropriately can help prevent further deterioration or even death.