Deterioration in hospital patients: early signs and appropriate actions.

Early identification of clinical deterioration in hospitalised patients is important to prevent subsequent cardiopulmonary arrest and reduce mortality. Understanding where and why the care process fails, resulting in the inability to recognise patient deterioration, can help healthcare staff and organisations to prioritise and improve patient safety. This article is based on interagency work undertaken by the National Patient Safety Agency and guidelines produced by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.