COMPASS® program aims to improve the early recognition and timely management of deteriorating patients and is about pointing health care professionals in the right direction.
The COMPASS® Online Learning package takes participants through examples of deteriorating patients. It explains why the vital signs change when a patient deteriorates. There is a strong focus on basic physiology including the chain of oxygen delivery. The video includes a voiceover so please ensure that you have the volume up on your computer. The learning module does not provide a print out of the certificate of completion but participants can take a screen shot of the final screen as proof of completion.
For more information contact us on compass@act.gov.au
Early Recognition of the Deteriorating Patient Project
The Early Recognition of the Deteriorating Patient project came about following the failure to recognise and manage deteriorating patients on general wards. To help manage this, the project introduced three interventions:
- colour coded observation charts
- a track and trigger system called a Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS)
- the COMPASS® education package
Post implementation reductions were seen in unplanned admissions to ICU and unexpected hospital deaths. Medical reviews for patients with significant clinical instability and number of patients receiving a medical emergency team (MET) review increased during the intervention period. The documentation of vital signs by the nursing staff also increased.
Resources for the implementation of a Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) system
The following resources are available to guide a health facility in adapting the Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) System.
The MEWS system enhances the tracking of vital signs and provides a trigger associated with a predetermined escalation pathway improving the recognition and the timely escalation of deteriorating patients.
- Compass Implementation Guide (PDF, 353.64 KB)
- Compass Implementation Flowchart (PDF, 64.87 KB)
- Project Schedule Template (PDF, 62.77 KB)
- Duty Statement and Selection Criteria (PDF, 31.39 KB)
- Engaging Clinicians Tips & tricks (PDF, 63.25 KB)
- Audit tools for
- COMPASS Project Governance (PDF, 58.13 KB)
- ISBAR Poster (PDF, 88.95 KB)
Education resources for health professionals
The following resources are also available to improve the knowledge of health professionals in the recognition of deteriorating patients:
- Vital Signs and Early Warning Score Policy (PDF, 2141.55 KB)
- COMPASS Manual (PDF, 712.25 KB)
- COMPASS Adult/Paediatric And Maternity Manual (PDF, 1356.76 KB)
- Adult COMPASS without MEWS (PDF, 1137.85 KB)
- COMPASS Quiz Questions (PDF, 174.17 KB)
- COMPASS Train The Trainer PowerPoint (PDF, 1346.14 KB)
- COMPASS Train The Trainer Manual (PDF, 267.02 KB)
- Oxygen Delivery Poster (PDF, 23.73 KB)
License agreement for materials and resources
Copyright of all material contained on this site is owned by the Australian Capital Territory.
You may download, display, distribute, print and reproduce, any material at this web site, in unaltered form only, for your personal use, educational use, or non-commercial use within your organisation, provided the copyright to such material is attributed to the Australian Capital Territory.
Requests and inquiries for authorisation concerning reproduction and rights of any material should be directed to Access Canberra, Department of Territory and Municipal Services, GPO Box 158, Canberra ACT 2601 or by email to copyright@act.gov.au
For further information please refer to the Copyright Act 1968 (Commonwealth).
Please note that the copyright in the materials appearing at Internet sites which are linked from this site, rest with the author of those materials, or the author's licensee (subject to the operation of the Copyright Act 1968). The Australian Capital Territory recommends that you refer to the copyright statements on those sites before making use of the materials.