Recording of Vital Signs in Adults

Introduction

This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) covers the management and recording of patient observations in Surrey Safe Care (SSC). In combination with hands-on training and published Quick Reference Guides readers of this SOP should be able to record observations electronically and escalate deteriorating patients safely and effectively.

To ensure we optimise the system and deliver care that is high quality and safe, all inpatient areas must enter patient observations into the patients SSC record. No observations are to be documented on paper charts or Integrated Care Pathways (ICPs). The exception to this would be during a system failure or scheduled downtime where the Business Continuity Plan has been invoked.

Policy Details

See also:

• National Early Warning Score (NEWS) 2 - Standardising the assessment of acute illness severity in the NHS - report from the Royal College of Physicians
• Cleaning and Disinfection Policy
• Information Security Policy