ROARRRRR Week is a focus with all clinical staff on getting it right for patients at risk of deterioration, using the five ‘Rs’ as a reminder of key steps:
Recognise – completion of mandatory training and using professional knowledge to recognise patients who may be deteriorating.
React – using skills and training to stop the deterioration and escalate to a senior nurse or doctor for further support
Respond – understanding and listening when concerns are escalated as well as ensuring the patient is responding to the treatment given
Record – Always document actions and escalation Reflect – looking back to ensure any learning and best practice is captured
The Trust is running the week at the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle and West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven as part of the continued focus on safety improvements being made across the organisation.
Elizabeth Klein, head of nursing for clinical standards at the Trust, who created the week, said: “ROARRRRR Week is a fun and quirky way of promoting serious messages. We want to ensure that all of our staff, no matter what level they are, feel empowered to raise concerns and escalate them as quickly as possible. “Deterioration can happen at any point of a patient’s illness and those who have been admitted as an emergency or have had major surgery are particularly vulnerable. The five ‘Rs’ reminds staff of the key steps to take if they feel a patient is deteriorating as early detection is vital. “We have made great strides in improving our safety culture at the Trust and it is fantastic to see the enthusiasm and drive from our staff to continually build on those improvements.”