Early Recognition of Deterioration in Vital Observation - Dissertation Example

Download file to see previous pages Background. Nurses are required to recognize early clinical deterioration in patients and call emergency support. However, there is increasing recognition that indicators of deterioration in acutely unwell patients are being missed and referrals delayed. The reasons for this are unclear and require exploration. Failure to recognize or act on the deterioration of hospital ward patients has resulted in the implementation of an early warning scoring system and critical care outreach teams.

Design. A comprehensive review of the literature.

Methods. Critical review as the research methodology was used as the dissertation topic required a comprehensive collection of research evidence. The literature was searched using different sources: such as electronic databases, reference lists, key reports, and experts in the field. Medline, CINAHL, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched from January 2001–2011. Ten papers were selected that most reflected the research aim. Each paper was critically appraised and systematically assessed. Major themes and findings were identified for each of the studies.

Result. Early warning systems and physiological monitoring processes help ensure the early detection of critical illnesses among patients.
Conclusions. Early warning systems with appropriate applications of vital signs and other physiological monitoring processes are crucial tools in the early assessment of critical care patients.
Relevance to clinical practice. The studies establish the importance of using early warning systems and physiological monitoring processes to detect symptoms that indicate issues with a critical illness.
Keywords: deterioration, nursing observation, vital signs, hospital patients, assessment, early recognition,

Introduction
Vital signs are significant components in monitoring the patient’s progress during hospitalization as they allow for the timely detection of delayed recovery or adverse events. These vital signs, or patient observations, usually consist of blood pressure, temperature, pulse rate, and respiratory rate. While the measurement of vital signs has become an accepted component of any hospitalization, the optimal practice is yet to be determined. A preliminary search of the literature indicated that there were a vast number of published articles relating to this topic; however, there had been few previous attempts to review critically this literature. ...Download file to see next pages Read More