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.