ABCDE Assessment (Primary Survey)

The ABCDE assessment approach is a vital tool for healthcare professionals dealing with deteriorating or critically ill patients. This systematic, rapid bedside assessment focuses on prioritised initial management of life-threatening conditions and improving the patient’s condition without an immediate need for a definitive diagnosis.

This Ausmed Course provides healthcare professionals with a step-by-step guide to applying the ABCDE assessment in their clinical practice, covering each assessment area (airway, breathing, circulation, disability and exposure) in detail, from identification to interventions.

This Ausmed Course is intended for paramedics, nurses and other healthcare professionals looking to increase their understanding of best practices for conducting a primary survey following the ABCDE systematic approach in the clinically deteriorating patient.

The ABCDE systematic assessment approach is used by healthcare professionals to assess and manage critically ill patients. This approach facilitates early recognition and response to clinical deterioration of a patient, which is fundamental to achieving positive patient outcomes, as delayed identification and management of deterioration can lead to potentially fatal outcomes.

It is essential that healthcare professionals regularly encountering critically ill patients in their practice have the knowledge and confidence to recognise and respond to signs of clinical deterioration and provide patients with safe, effective and timely care when they need it the most.

To provide a refreshed, enhanced and in-depth understanding of the ABCDE assessment approach to conducting a primary survey in line with National Safety and Quality Health Service Standard 8, ‘Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration’, in order to efficiently and safely recognise changes and respond to the deteriorating patient, improve practice and reduce adverse or sentinel events.