Acutely ill adults in hospital: recognising and responding to deterioration

Monitoring patients in hospital

Sometimes, the health of a patient in hospital may get worse suddenly (this is called becoming acutely ill). There are certain times when this is more likely, for example following an emergency admission to hospital, after surgery and after leaving critical care. However, it can happen at any stage of an illness. It increases the patient's risk of needing to stay longer in hospital, not recovering fully or dying.

Monitoring patients (checking them and their health) regularly while they are in hospital and taking action if they show signs of becoming worse can help avoid serious problems.