Patient at Risk (PaR)
The PaR team ensures children at risk of deterioration receive the right care at the right time and are cared for in the right place depending on their changing acuity. PaR Nurse Specialists (PaR NS) are expert level paediatric nurses who have a background in critical care nursing along with excellent leadership skills. They foster effective working partnerships with primary medical and nursing ward teams in the timely management of deteriorating patients. Ward nurses notify the PaR NS when they are caring for a child with complex health needs who they are concerned about or who meet criteria on the escalation pathway of the PEWS chart. The child is clinically reviewed by the PaR NS who ensures that time critical escalation of care to medical staff occurs and advises nursing staff and parents on the management of the child. The clinical advice given enables real time learning for ward staff in a supportive environment.