On Friday 3 October, the Health and Care Academy hosted its inaugural Deteriorating Patient Event, bringing together healthcare professionals from across the trust for an essential educational session. This event aimed to equip staff, regardless of role, with the knowledge and confidence to recognise and manage patients whose conditions are deteriorating.
The event centred around the practical and easy-to-remember 5 R’s framework for managing patient deterioration:
- Recognise: Identifying early signs that a patient’s condition is declining
- Realistic: Tailoring care to the unique needs of each individual patient
- Respond: Initiating appropriate monitoring, assessment, or treatment within your skillset
- Rescue: Escalating to senior colleagues and considering transfer within the trust when necessary
- Resuscitate: Providing active resuscitation when the situation demands it
Attendees engaged with powerful real-life patient stories, participated in insightful team discussions, and learned from clinical experts who shared their expertise on critical topics such as recognising subtle “soft signs” of deterioration.
This collaborative educational initiative underscored the importance of early intervention and teamwork in improving patient outcomes. It was inspiring to see staff from various disciplines come together with a shared commitment to patient safety and quality care.
For those who couldn’t attend, or anyone wishing to revisit the event, we are pleased to share the film capturing the day’s highlights, expert talks, and interactive sessions. We hope it serves as a valuable resource in your ongoing efforts to support deteriorating patients.