Remote monitoring to detect deterioration

Recognising deterioration is a primary concern within the NHS. A 2016 report1 from NHS Improvement highlighted the impact of failure to recognise or act on patient deterioration within an acute setting, with 7% of death and severe harm incidents reported to the National Reporting and Learning System (NRLS) in 2015, as a direct result. The report also cites a low level of reporting from primary care, leading to a lack of clarity over the impact of patient deterioration in a less acute setting on the wider healthcare system. 

The focus on patient deterioration in the non-acute setting has, however, come under sharp focus during 2020. The need to free up hospital beds to cope with the demands of the coronavirus pandemic led to many vulnerable patients being discharged early. This, combined with the need to prevent other vulnerable patients – including those in care homes – from being admitted, has emphasised the need for better deterioration management in primary and community care to allow for early intervention.

COVID-19: the catalyst for remote monitoring