Vital signs monitoring in Australasian emergency departments: Development of a consensus statement from ACEM and CENA

Clifford J Connell; Simon Craig; Carmel Crock; Lisa Kuhn; Julia Morphet; Maria Unwin

doi:10.1016/j.auec.2024.04.001

Vital signs monitoring in Australasian emergency departments: Development of a consensus statement from ACEM and CENA

Australas Emerg Care. 2024 May 20:S2588-994X(24)00022-8. doi: 10.1016/j.auec.2024.04.001. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Clifford J Connell¹, Simon Craig², Carmel Crock³, Lisa Kuhn⁴, Julia Morphet⁵, Maria Unwin⁶

Affiliations

¹ Monash Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University, PO Box 527, Frankston, VIC 3199, Australia; Monash Emergency Research Collaborative, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: clifford.connell@monash.edu.
² Department of Paediatrics, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University; Paediatric Emergency Department, Monash Medical Centre, Monash Health; Clinical Sciences, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Monash Emergency Research Collaborative, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: Simon.craig@monash.edu.
³ Emergency Department, The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Gisborne St, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia. Electronic address: Carmel.Crock@eyeandear.org.au.
⁴ School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Australian Catholic University, The Daniel Mannix Building, 8-14 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia; Monash Emergency Research Collaborative, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: Lisa.Kuhn@acu.edu.au.
⁵ Monash Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University, PO Box 527, Frankston, VIC 3199, Australia. Electronic address: Julia.morphet@monash.edu.
⁶ Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, c/- 41 Frankland St, Launceston, TAS 7250, Australia; Monash Emergency Research Collaborative, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: maria.unwin@utas.edu.au.

PMID: 38772785
DOI: 10.1016/j.auec.2024.04.001

Abstract

Background: Emergency Department (ED) care is provided for a diverse range of patients, clinical acuity and conditions. This diversity often calls for different vital signs monitoring requirements. Requirements often change depending on the circumstances that patients experience during episodes of ED care.

Aim: To describe expert consensus on vital signs monitoring during ED care in the Australasian setting to inform the content of a joint Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) and College of Emergency Nursing Australasia (CENA) position statement on vital signs monitoring in the ED.

Method: A 4-hour online nominal group technique workshop with follow up surveys.

Results: Twelve expert ED nurses and doctors from adult, paediatric and mixed metropolitan and regional ED and research facilities spanning four Australian states participated in the workshop and follow up surveys. Consensus building generated 14 statements about vital signs monitoring in ED. Good consensus was reached on whether vital signs should be assessed for 15 of 19 circumstances that patients may experience.

Conclusion: This study informed the creation of a joint position statement on vital signs monitoring in the Australasian ED setting, endorsed by CENA and ACEM. Empirical evidence is needed for optimal, safe and achievable policy on this fundamental practice.

Keywords: Emergency Department; Emergency Medicine; Emergency Nursing; Patient Assessment; Patient Safety; Vital Signs.