Please Note:  This programme has been reviewed as a result of new information and international research. 

This programme (Compass) is an interdisciplinary education programme designed to enhance our health care professionals’ understanding of patients who are clinically deteriorating and the significance of altered clinical observations.  It also seeks to improve communication between healthcare professionals, while adopting a patient-centred quality driven approach, and enhancing the timely management of patients.

National Launch

The National Early Warning Score (ViEWS) and associated Education Programme (COMPASS) was launched by Dr. Barry White,National Director, Clinical Strategy and Programmes, HSE at the National Acute Medicine Programme Conference on March 27^th 2012  in the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. The Minister for Health, Dr. James Reilly was there to offer his support to the programme.

The programme has been developed in conjunction with the National Early Warning Score, VitalPAC^TM  Early Warning Score (ViEWS) vital sign parameters.

The COMPASS interdisciplinary training manual and education material have been modified to suit the Irish health care system with the kind permission of the Health Directorate ACT Government, Australia.

Click here for the HSE National Guiding Framework and Policy for the National Early Warning Score System to Recognise and Respond to Clinical Deterioration (pdf 842.1kb)

The Adult Education Programme consists of:

The COMPASS Training Manual incorporating the ViEWS, An Interactive CD, a paper based Quiz which should be completed before attending the face to face session, a PowerPoint presentation for the face to face session for staff with four sample interactive case studies. We wish to acknowledge various people for their help and assistance with this project. They are acknowleged here (pdf).

Please click on the title of the document (e.g. The Compass Training Manual) to download.

Compass Training Manual. pdf (size 1.8 MB)

This manual is in A4 format with information on physiology, communication, team work, management plans etc incorporating the National Early Warning Score, ViEWS.

An interactive CD (flash player required)

The CD takes participants through a case of a deteriorating patient and explains changes in vital signs for the deteriorating patient.  There is a voice over on the CD, please ensure that your computer is equipped to accommodate this.  You will need flash media player software on your machine to get the full benefit.

Amendments to the Compass CD

Blood Measurements: Hb 120 g/l = 12.0 g/dl, HB 60 g/l = 6.0 g/dl, PO2 159 mm Hg = 21 k Pa, PCO2 40 mmHg = 5.3 kPa.

The last slide of the CD advises you to go online and complete a quiz.  This is a paper based quiz and is included in your manual.  You must complete this quiz and send it to your course co-ordinators no later than 2 days prior to your face to face education programme.

Please note the following advice when reviewing course CD;

Quiz Questions (pdf 34.5kb)

This is a paper quiz with 10 quiz questions.  This quiz should be completed and returned to the course co-ordinator in advance of attending the COMPASS training session.

Compass Powerpoint presentation handouts pdf 843.1KB

Compass Powerpoint presentation for facilitators pdf 1 MB

Click on the links below for the accompanying Case Studies.

Case study 1

Case study 2

Case study 3

Case study 4

Audit Tools

The Audit tools consist of three components –

• Utilization and accuracy of completion of the patient observation chart incorporating the ViEWS 
• Utilization of the ‘track and trigger’ response mechanism – the ViEWS protocol
• Utilization of the ISBAR communication tool
  
  

Click here for the National Early Warning Score (ViEWS) System pdf (size 688.4 KB)

Implementation Flow Chart

This flow chart will assist sites with the proposed sequence of events for effective implementation.  A multi-disciplinary team approach in each acute hospital is essential for the effective implementation of the National Early Warning Score.

Patient Observation Chart. pdf (size 966 KB)

This is a sample chart. The chart is designed to fit into existing patient records held locally. The scoring parameters for the physiological signs identified are based on the ViEWS system, agreed nationally, and must be strictly adhered to.  The escalation protocol may require some minor adjustments for individual sites.  Acute sites may design their own patient observation charts based on their individual needs if necessary.

ISBAR Communication Tool. pdf (size 509.8 KB)

This tool is used to assist staff in providing focussed communication to other healthcare professionals when communicating information in relation to the deteriorating patient.

Deterioration Patient Management Flow Chart. pdf (size 4.3 MB)

An A3 Chart which may be displayed on units / wards and used as a guide for staff.

Toolkit for Training

Co-ordinator Guide (pdf 39.3kb)

Education Programme Equipment List (pdf 29.8kb)

Sample evaluation form (pdf 80.9kb)

Compass Powerpoint Train the Trainer Presenatation.pdf (size 1.3 MB)

Compass Powerpoint Train the Trainer Handouts.pdf.pdf (size 1.2 MB)