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Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration Policy

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

This Policy establishes the minimum mandatory requirements for recognising and responding to acute deterioration for all patients receiving care in WA health services. This Policy promotes the application of health professional, patient, carer, and family judgement in escalating care during an episode of acute deterioration; and expressly stipulates that acute deterioration includes physiological and mental state deterioration. 

This Policy enforces clinical guidance in 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’ – mandated through MP 0134/20 National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards Accreditation Policy.

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 supersedes MP 0086/18 Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration Policy.

Date of effect: 22 January 2023

Policy Framework

Supporting information

wa.gov.au