Positives | Negatives |
---|---|
• Improve the quality of patient observation and monitoring | • Are not a predictor of outcome |
• Improve communication within the multidisciplinary team | • Are not a comprehensive clinical assessment tool |
• Allow for timely admission to intensive care | • Are not an indicator for immediate admission to intensive care |
• Aid good clinical judgement | • Should never replace clinical judgement |
• Aid in securing appropriate assistance for sick patients | |
• Give a good indication of physiological trends | |
• Area sensitive indicator of abnormal physiology | |
• Are a red flag marker of potential or established critical illness |
Source: Department of Health and Modernisation Agency. The National Outreach Report.12