The problem of effectively caring for patients who deteriorate is well recognised internationally, and there is an increasing move towards the systematic promotion and implementation of recognition and response systems by health departments and other organisations that support safety and quality.
The aim of this initiative is to develop a national, evidence-based consensus statement about the:
- importance of providing safe and high quality care to patients who deteriorate in hospitals
- systems that are required to recognise these patients, and respond to them appropriately
- organisational systems required to ensure that patients who deteriorate are recognised and responded to.
Health services will be able to use this consensus statement to guide their own work in developing processes for recognising and responding to clinical deterioration.
There are a number of existing published guidelines and documents that have been used in developing the draft Consensus Statement.
Call for written submissions on a draft national Consensus Statement
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care is seeking written submissions on the development of a Consensus Statement setting out the essential elements required for effectively recognising and responding to clinical deterioration.The consultation paper (PDF 144 KB) provides background information regarding the development of a national Consensus Statement, discussion of how the statement might be used, and the draft Statement. The paper also includes a summary of the issues and questions on which the Commission is seeking feedback.
Written submissions are invited from any individual, group or organisation that wish to comment on the draft Consensus Statement and/or address the questions posed in the consultation paper.
The Commission will be accepting written submissions up to 25 September 2009. Submissions marked "Consensus Statement" should be forwarded to:
GPO Box 5480
SYDNEY NSW 2001
Or emailed to mail@safetyandquality.gov.au
In order to ensure transparency and promote a robust discussion, all submissions will be published on the Commission's website, including the names of individuals and /or organisations making the submission. The Commission will consider requests to withhold the contents of any submissions made in whole or part.
Please contact Dr Nicola Dunbar via email on nicola.dunbar@safetyandquality.gov.au should you require any further information about this initiative.
