About the ABCDE Approach
Assessing the deteriorating patient
Failure to recognise patient deterioration and act in a timely manner is a significant patient safety risk and may lead to adverse patient outcomes including preventable death. In order to recognise deterioration at an early stage, thorough patient assessment is essential. The ABCDE approach is the recommended approach for the assessment of a Deteriorating Patient (NICE, 2007, U.K. Resuscitation Council, 2021) and it is part of the Recognising and Managing Deterioration programme. ABCDE stands for Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure. The ABCDE approach underpins the NEWS2 tool, which is designed to support clinical judgement and therefore using ABCDE offers healthcare professionals a structure to their assessment and treatment of a patient. Whilst using this approach you work your way from A to E treating life-threatening problems before moving to the next part of assessment.
This programme is aimed at people working in clinical roles with adults. This programme does not include paediatric or maternity patients but there are resources here to help you if you are working in those clinical environments. There are two levels for you to choose from, as follows:
Universal – this is aimed at a wide variety of people, including those working as healthcare assistants, support workers, junior nurses
Advanced – this level is aimed at experienced healthcare professionals, such as nurses, allied health professionals, and junior medical professionals.
This resource will help you to revise or learn your anatomy and physiology, developing your skills and understanding of the assessment process in order to recognise deterioration and understand how you can manage the findings within the scope of your clinical role.
The programme is composed of six sections, starting with observing general deterioration before moving on to the ABCDE approach in sections. Each section is interactive, and quizzes are offered throughout each section for you to check your knowledge. You should expect to spend approximately 2 hours on each of the sessions. There are references and suggested further reading for you to undertake if you wish to develop your knowledge further.
NHS England has developed several elearning sessions on deterioration as well as sepsis in different settings. We recommend reviewing both pages to ensure comprehensive learning outcomes. We also welcome feedback on sessions as well as anything you may wish to learn more about. You can find the sepsis sessions here.
Please note: These are new sessions and will replace the ones on ELF currently. The older ones will be available through the ELF hub until 30th of November to ensure all learners can finish their sessions should they wish to. All the deterioration and sepsis sessions are going through reviews and updates, and all new sessions will be launched on the learning hub as soon as possible.
Acknowledgements
Dr Claire Nadaf DProf MSc BSc(Hons) RN SFHEA
Head of Academic Enterprise and Engagement
Health Sciences University
Sue Maddex RGN, MSc AHCP, PGDipE, SFHEA
Senior Lecturer
Adult Nursing /Institute of Health and Social care
London South Bank University
NHSE TEL team members
Sarah Gray, Programme Manager, NHS England
Victoria Ward, Lead Learning Designer, NHS England
Essi Niittymaki, Senior Project Manager, NHS England
Abigail Lingford, Graphic Designer, NHS England
How to access
To access this elfh programme, you will require a Learning Hub account. If you do not have one, then you can register by selecting the Register button below. Note that if you hold a full elfh account, you can sign into the Learning Hub using your existing login credentials.
To view the ABCDE Approach programme, select the View button below. If you already have a Learning Hub account, you will also be able to login and access the resources within the programme.
NHS healthcare staff in England – ESR
The ABCDE Approach programme is also available to NHS healthcare staff via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR). Accessing this e-learning via ESR means that your completions will transfer with you throughout your NHS career.
Further details about the Electronic Staff Record (ESR).
Not an NHS organisation?
If you are not an NHS health or care organisation and therefore do not qualify for free access to the Learning Hub, you may be able to access the service if you have an existing OpenAthens account. Please go to Learning Hub and sign in with your existing credentials.
If you do not have an existing OpenAthens account, please contact elfh directly to check whether you may be eligible for access.
Registering large numbers of users
If you are a HR, IT or Practice Manager and would like to register and enrol large numbers of staff within your organisation for access onto the ABCDE Approach programme, please contact elfh directly.
Organisations wishing to use their own LMS
For HR departments wanting to know more about gaining access to courses using an existing Learning Management System please contact elfh directly to express interest.
More information
Please select the following link for more information on how to use the Learning Hub