Book chapter
Patient assessment and essentials of care
Emergency and Trauma Care for Nurses and Paramedics
Elsevier, 4th
24/10/2023
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Abstract
Assessment is the ability to observe and interpret any clinical situation, thereby influencing the decisions of emergency nurses and paramedics. Accurate patient assessment enables the evaluation of actions and practices and lies at the core of both professions. How well patients are cared for has a direct effect on their sense of wellbeing and recovery. This chapter also discusses the essential elements of nursing care. Assessment enables emergency clinicians to prioritise care. The triage nurse or firstresponder paramedic will perform a rapid patient assessment, but, as every patient’s condition has the potential to change, there is a need to recognise the importance of a more comprehensive assessment, followed by the ability to determine how often
reassessment should take place. Patient reassessment in emergency departments (EDs) has never been more important, given the prevalence of access block, which results in prolonged length of stay in the ED.1 Different assessment models exist with their own distinct purpose. The triage assessment is brief with the aim of sorting patients into order of urgency and determining how long they can wait for emergency care.2 The primary survey ensures life-threatening conditions are identified and treated fi rst.3 The HIRAID ™ emergency nursing framework provides a systematic approach to the comprehensive assessment of patients.4 Assessment models such as these ensure a structured evidence based approach to assessment and are imperative to enhance
the clinician’s performance and optimise patient safety.5–9 Emergency clinicians make important clinical decisions every day and these decisions have an effect on the patient’s healthcare and the actions of healthcare professionals. As care provision is becoming increasingly complex, emergency clinicians have to rely on sound clinical decision-making skills to maintain up-to-date care and positive outcomes.
Details
- Title
- Patient assessment and essentials of care
- Creators
- Belinda MunroeClaire Hutchinson (Contributor) - Southern Cross University, Faculty of HealthTamsin Jones
- Publication Details
- Emergency and Trauma Care for Nurses and Paramedics
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Edition
- 4th
- Identifiers
- 991013153513702368
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Book chapter