Approximately 70-80% adverse events are preceded by derangements in vital signs for up to 12 hours with minimal or no intervention from clinicians. This emphasises the need for health professionals to ensure patient safety by careful patient assessment. Recognition and managing the deteriorating patient is one of the Australian National and Quality Health Service Standards developed by the Australian Commission on Quality and Safety in Health care in 2011.
Category Archives: Vital Signs
Pulse Rate
Approximately 70-80% adverse events are preceded by derangements in vital signs for up to 12 hours with minimal or no intervention from clinicians. This emphasises the need for health professionals to ensure patient safety by careful patient assessment. Recognition and managing the deteriorating patient is one of the Australian National and Quality Health Service Standards developed by the Australian Commission on Quality and Safety in Health care in 2011.
Taking a Blood Pressure using an Aneroid Sphygmomanometer
The recording of a manual blood pressure is an essential skill to master in order to make critical decisions on a patients perfusion status in response to illness, injury or treatment. In patients with large arms, the normal-sized cuff will overestimate the blood pressure and therefore a large cuff must be used. The sizing guide printed on the BP cuff must be adhered to.
Respiratory Rate Measurement
Respiratory rate is an important predictor of serious adverse events and as such careful monitoring of rate rhythm and ease of breathing is essential. Respirations are measured in such a way as to not draw the patient’s attention to the procedure.
Taking a Tympanic Temperature
Measurement of body temperature is commonly measured through use of a tympanic thermometer. Tympanic thermometers are commonly available in clinical settings and must be used according to manufacturer’s instructions.