Home About us Policy Frameworks Clinical Governance, Safety and Quality Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration Policy

Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration Policy

MP 0171/22 - Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration Policy (pdf 150KB)

Applicable to: This policy is applicable to Health Service Providers except Health Support Services, PathWest Laboratory Medicine WA, and Quadriplegic Centre.

Description: The Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration Policy (this policy) establishes the mandatory requirements for recognising and responding to acute deterioration for all patients receiving care in WA health services. This policy supports the use of clinical judgement by health professionals, patients, carers, support people and families to escalate care or concerns during episodes of acute deterioration. It explicitly defines acute deterioration as including both physiological and mental state deterioration.

This policy enforces clinical guidance within the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards ‘Standard 8: Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration’.

This policy is a mandatory requirement for Health Service Providers under the Clinical Governance, Safety and Quality Policy Framework pursuant to section 26(2)(c) of the Health Services Act 2016.

This policy should be read in conjunction with MP 0134/20 National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards Accreditation Policy.

Date of effect: 22 January 2023