Recognition And Management Of The Acutely Ill Surgical Patient

Abstract

With a few exceptions, most acute illnesses develop slowly and are accompanied by deterioration in the patient’s physical signs that in retrospect have been evident for many hours. The signs that a patient is unwell reflect failing cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological systems and numerous studies have identified that these abnormalities are good indicators of impending critical events. Early recognition and response to these changes using an ABCDE system will keep the patient from harm while help is obtained to make a definitive diagnosis and treat the patient without them coming to further harm.