Rapid Assessment of the Acutely Ill Patient

Foreword vi

Preface viii

1. Why Rapid Assessment Is Essential for Ward Staff 1

2. Track and Trigger Systems: Early Warning Scores, Calling Criteria and Rapid Response Teams 13

3. Assessment Techniques 30

4. A–B–C–D–E: Airway Assessment and Management Techniques 43

5. A-B-C-D-E: Breathing (and Failure to Breathe) 61

6. A–B–C–D–E: Circulation (and Circulatory Failure) 98

7. A–B–C–D–E: Acute Neurological Care (Disability) 153

8. A–B–C–D–E: Everything that Should Be Considered for Other Potential Problems 181

9. Patient-centred Care, Team Working and Communication 198

Appendix 1: Acid–Base Balance and Arterial Blood Gases 221

Appendix 2: Oxygen Delivery Devices 227

Index 232