The 'OBS' chart: an evidence based approach to re-design of the patient observation chart in a district general hospital setting

摘要

Objective: The primary role of the patient bedside observation chart is to make clinicians aware of the deteriorating patient. Despite this, its performance has not been scrutinised. Many versions exist with different styles of data entry but the optimal format remains elusive. This paper hypothesised that chart design measurably influences function and that redesign and standardisation would improve the detection of physiological decline by clinical staff.