Early signs of deterioration in children

Around 5,000 children under the age of 18 die each year in the UK, which makes for a sobering statistic indeed. Many of these deaths could likely have been prevented if healthcare professionals had spotted a deterioration in health more quickly.

Many children who pass away in hospital have often shown observable signs of increased illness in the hours, days and weeks before hospital admission.

One report carried out recently showed that around 1 in 5 children who die in hospital have avoidable factors leading to death and up to half of children have potentially avoidable factors. Other studies have examined the signs (physiological and behavioural) of deterioration that may be present in the period preceding a cardiopulmonary arrest and the fact that these features are often not recognised or acted on quickly enough by hospital staff.

Sadly, due to rising rates of conditions like asthma, diabetes and other chronic health problems in children, cardiac arrest due to complications is more likely than ever before. This is perhaps particularly the case when hospital resources are stretched and nurses may not have time to notice a child’s health deteriorating. There is also much more reliance on technology these days, giving less opportunity for healthcare providers to have a ‘gut feeling’ about a child. After all, sometimes things just don’t seem right.

Unfortunately again, although the percentage of paediatric cardiopulmonary arrests in children who are inpatients admission is said to be low, the chances of survival are worryingly poor. This is what makes spotting a child’s deteriorating health and treating them quickly so vitally important, especially as complications can result from conditions usually considered minor.

Can you confidently spot when a child’s health is deteriorating?

If you regularly work with sick children suffering any form of chronic or life-limiting condition, then spotting the warning signs can literally mean the difference between life and death.

Our scheduled CDP course – The Deteriorating Child – is ideal for clinicians at all levels who carry out assessments and manage paediatric patients in emergency, acute, urgent and primary care settings. It offers the chance to boost your skills, find out more about the latest NICE guidelines and meet others in your profession.

There are two dates available, one on the 4^th December 2019 and another on 12^th June 2020.  It’s a one-day course worth 7 hours of CPD, and is held at Hamilton House in London. Refreshments, all course equipment, evaluations and certificates are provided but this popular course can book up fast so it’s well worth securing your place early.

 

Note: This is a collaborative post