Background: the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (2007) states that 'respiratory rate is the best marker of a sick patient and is the first observation that will indicate a problem or deterioration in condition'. It is therefore crucial that staff are confident that respiratory rates are recorded accurately.
Aims: to assess perceptions of clinical staff regarding methods of assessment and reliability of respiratory rate recordings in observation charts.
Methods: we developed a questionnaire using best practice guidelines. Some 41 ward-based clinical staff completed the questionnaires.
Findings: confidence in the reliability of recordings is very low. Clinical staff think recordings are often estimated with no formal measurement, with 'perceived lack of time' being the most commonly cited explanation for inappropriate assessment.
Conclusions: essential clinical information is not being used, as clinical staff lack confidence that it has been assessed correctly. Furthermore, inaccurate recordings could be actively misleading clinical care.