When introducing early warning tools and systems, as with any improvement opportunity, it's important to consider design, implementation and evaluation processes that include all relevant team members. Meaningful consultation, and contribution is key to implementing and sustaining improvement. The following tools and resources will assist you in recognizing and responding to the deteriorating patient condition in a general care setting.

Resources to share with your patients

• Symptoms of sepsis

Additional Provider Resources

• Rapid Response Team Getting Started Kit
• National Early Warning Score Guidelines
• Safety Is Personal - Partnering with Patients and Families for the Safest Care
• The Failure to Rescue Change Package
• The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
• HIROC Risk Reference Sheets
• Patient Engagement Resources Hub

Need a helping hand?

If you are interested in learning more about early warning systems using an electronic health or medical record, the teams at either Hamilton Health Sciences via Dr. Alison Fox-Robichaud (foxrob@hhsc.ca) or Dr. Michael Miletin at William Osler Health System (Michael.Miletin@williamoslerhs.ca) would be happy to speak with you.

TeamSTEPPS®

Patient safety experts agree that effective teamwork skills are essential for safe, quality healthcare that prevents and mitigates harm. TeamSTEPPS® - Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety, is an evidence-based teamwork system that optimizes patient care by improving communication and teamwork skills among healthcare professionals, including frontline staff. As a part of SHIFT to Safety, CPSI is developing, in partnership with patients and family members, TeamSTEPPS modules and content to be launched later this year. Click here to subscribe to our mailing list and be notified as soon as they're ready!