Recognising and Responding to Clinical Deterioration

Serious adverse events like cardiac arrest or respiratory depression often follow noticeable physiological and clinical irregularities. By recognising these signs early and responding appropriately, we can save lives.

This Ausmed Course equips healthcare professionals with comprehensive knowledge about acute deterioration, including an understanding of the National Safety and Quality Health Service’s (NSQHS) Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration Standard, identifying deterioration using early warning systems (EWS) and track-and-trigger charting, and explains best practices for emergency protocols and communication when responding to deteriorating patients.

When serious adverse events occur, such as life-threatening clinical scenarios like cardiac arrest or respiratory depression, too often they are foreshadowed by noticeable physiological and clinical irregularities.

Beyond physiological indicators, similarly serious psychological signs of decline are also often observable ahead of serious or even sentinel events. However, it is also all too common for these signs and predictors of clinical decline to go unrecognised, overlooked or addressed ineffectively.

With 1 in 20 hospitalised Australians exhibiting signs of clinical deterioration necessitating clinical intervention, the ability of the healthcare professional to provide prompt recognition of deterioration is of critical importance.

The NSQHS Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration Standard makes clear that education that equips healthcare professionals with the knowledge and confidence to recognise and respond to deteriorating patients consistently is essential to improving patient outcomes.