The ABCDE approach to patient assessment is a systematic method used to assess the deteriorating patient.
This approach enables identification and immediate treatment of the most life-threatening problems in order of priority.
Key underlying principles of ABCDE approach:
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Life threatening problems need to be treated before continuing on with your assessment. If left untreated the patient may continue to deteriorate.
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Don’t stop your assessment once you have successfully treated a life threatening problem, as you may miss other vital information.
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Check the effect of any interventions. Are they getting better or worse?
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Follow the NEWS protocol. We also encourage you to use your clinical judgement and ‘gut feeling’. If you are worried about your patient, call for help early using ISBAR
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It is important to delegate, check the team member has the skills to undertake the task and know exactly what they are expected to do.
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ISBAR ( Identify -Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation) provides a framework enabling clear, concise communication between members of the health care team about a patient's condition.
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Once life threatening problems have been identified and treated, a more thorough examination can occur taking into account information from other sources such as the observation chart, drug chart, patient’s record, lab results and relevant diagnostic imaging. You may need to involve staff from the wider multi-disciplinary team.
Dial 2222
An unresponsive patient or patient with grossly abnormal breathing or no breathing or no palpable pulse = CARDIAC ARREST
