This basic observation training course aims to help staff increase their healthcare knowledge by teaching them how to take observations and accurately document and report the findings.
This basic observation training course aims to help staff increase their healthcare knowledge by teaching them how to take observations and accurately document and report the findings.
The course is suitable for both care assistants and nurses.
Furthermore, the course will include practical elements across a variety of different observation techniques.
Demonstrate a foundational understanding of the anatomy and physiology related to clinical observations, allowing for more accurate and informed monitoring of vital signs.
Identify and differentiate between normal and abnormal clinical observations, enhancing the quality of patient care.
Comprehend the clinical significance of abnormal observations, enabling timely and appropriate interventions.
Competently perform a range of clinical observations under supervision, including: Blood Pressure (BP), Heart Rates, Body Temperature, Urinalysis, Respiration Rate, Oxygen Saturations, Blood Glucose Monitoring, Neurological Observations.
Tell us how we can help
Tell us what you need and we will
find the best solution for you fast - getting back to you within one working day -
(usually the same day)
Where Do You Deliver The Basic Observation Training?
We can deliver this training at your premises, as long as it's within the UK. We also have our own venues in the Midlands if you don't have access to a training room. Similarly, we are also able to deliver this training virtually using Zoom (Zoom sessions for this course will only be available for Theory only sessions)
Who Is This Training For?
This training is for anyone working within the health and social care sector.
How Many Delegates Can I Have On One Session?
We will deliver this training for a group of up to 12 delegates. Also, for larger groups we can either provide multiple trainers on the same day or run multiple days to get everyone trained.
Will Attending This Training Make Me Competent?
In short, no. No classroom-based training course can give you full competency - be very wary of anyone claiming they can.
Our classroom-based assessments are designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and workplace competency, we will provide you with the relevant workbooks and competency pro-formas to be observed and signed off within the workplace according to your local policy.
We have put together this handy blog and video content to explain how this works - click here to read.
Who Will Conduct The Training?
One of our expert tutors. These all have an abundance of first hand care experience and knowledge
- so you'll be in great hands! We will let you know who is doing the training in advance. You can check out their skills and experience by finding them on our meet the team page.
Basic Clinical Observation Training
This Basic Clinical Observation Training helps healthcare workers learn how to confidently check and record important patient information (clinical vital signs) such as body temperature, breathing pattern, pulse, skin colour and more.
You will also learn what the normal ranges for these signs are and how to spot any changes that may show a patient is getting worse. The course focuses on the importance of keeping accurate records and sharing what you find with the healthcare team.
After completing the course, you will be able to do detailed checks, understand what the results mean, and take the right actions to keep patients safe and give them the best care.
This course is great for healthcare staff, students, or anyone who wants to refresh their skills.
This clinical observation course is created for healthcare staff, including but not limited to:
Nurses (registered and student)
Healthcare Assistants
Caregivers
Medical Technicians
Anyone seeking to develop a strong foundation in basic clinical observations
Basic Observation Training Course Outline:
Checking Health Signs:
Learn how to check pulse, blood pressure, breathing, and oxygen levels.
Understand why these signs are important for knowing someone’s health.
Understanding Health Words:
Learn the words used to describe health signs.
Know what different health signs mean.
Neurological Observations:
Find out why it’s important to check how the brain is working.
Practice checking someone’s awareness and eye reactions.
Aseptic Technique:
Learn how to keep things clean to stop germs from spreading.
Understand how to wash your hands properly to keep patients safe.
Collecting Samples:
Learn how to collect urine samples from patients.
Know how to handle and test the samples properly.
Taking Temperature:
Learn how to check body temperature in different ways, like under the arm or in the mouth.
Know how to write down the temperature correctly.
Checking Blood Sugar:
Find out why checking blood sugar levels is important, especially for people with diabetes.
Learn how to check blood sugar safely and correctly.
Keeping Things Safe and Secret:
Understand how to protect patients from infections.
Learn why it’s important to keep good records, ask for permission, and keep patient information private.
In this basic observation course, you’ll practise with case examples and learn what to do and what not to do. By the end, you’ll know how to check patients properly and provide the best care for them.
When you complete this clinical observation course, you will be able to:
Do the basic clinical checks.
Know if a patient’s observations are normal.
Know when to report your findings to others.
Work with healthcare staff to help prevent sepsis.
Spot signs of health problems early.
Record clinical observations accurately.
Follow the correct procedures for patient safety.
Why is basic clinical observation training important?
Basic clinical observation training is really important in healthcare for several reasons:
Patient safety: It helps spot potential problems early, so doctors and nurses can step in quickly to prevent complications.
Informed decisions: Observations give healthcare workers important information to decide on the best care, tests, treatments, and medicines for patients.
Baseline assessment: Starting with initial observations helps create a starting point to track any changes or issues over time.
Communication: Everyone on the healthcare team sees the same information, making it easier to talk about patient care as they move between different doctors and places.
Following rules: There are rules and standards for how to do and record observations. Proper training makes sure everyone follows these rules and reduces legal risks.
Learning skills: Observations teach important skills like paying close attention, thinking carefully, and noticing small changes in patients.
Working together: When everyone learns the same way to do observations, it helps different healthcare workers understand each other’s notes and work better together.
Overall, basic clinical observation training is like building blocks for giving patients the best and safest care. It helps healthcare workers learn how to collect and understand important patient info properly.
Benefits of learning Clinical Observation training skills:
1. Nurses:
Helping Patients Better: Nurses can spot problems early, helping patients get better results faster.
Making Better Choices: Nurses can make smart decisions about patient care because they know what to look for.
Feeling More Sure: Knowing what to check makes nurses feel more confident in their assessments.
Talking Clearly: Writing down observations helps nurses communicate clearly with other healthcare staff.
Making Fewer Mistakes: Understanding normal and abnormal signs helps nurses avoid errors in patient care.
2. Carers:
Keeping a Close Eye: Carers can notice changes in patients and alert nurses promptly.
Making Things Safer: Early detection of problems can prevent worsening conditions and ensure patient safety.
Feeling Less Worried: Knowing how to perform basic checks reduces anxiety for carers looking after sick individuals.
Speaking Up for Patients: Carers can advocate for patients by reporting any concerns to healthcare professionals.
Feeling More Ready: Learning basic health skills prepares carers to confidently care for others.
3. Other Health Workers (e.g., hospital aides):
Learning New Things: Acquiring patient assessment skills enhances job performance.
Making Work Easier: Assisting nurses with patient checks streamlines workflow and allows more time for other tasks.
Talking Better with Patients: Understanding health signs improves communication with patients.
Getting Better Jobs: Proficiency in patient assessment can open up opportunities for advancement in healthcare careers.
Working Better with Others: Collaborating with nurses in patient care promotes teamwork and efficiency.
4. Patients:
Feeling More in Control: Patients empowered with basic health knowledge feel more in control of their well-being.
Talking More Clearly: Understanding health signs enables patients to communicate effectively about their symptoms.
Feeling Less Worried: Knowledge of health signs alleviates patient anxiety about their health status.
Feeling and listening to the stomach (for sounds, tenderness, bloating)
How often someone goes to the bathroom
Keeping track of how much goes in and out of the body
Brain and nerve check:
How awake and aware someone is
How the pupils in their eyes react
How strong their muscles are and if they react normally
Reflexes (like when you tap someone’s knee and their leg moves)
Body movement check:
How well someone can move their body parts
If there are any weird shapes or swellings
How well they can walk and move around
Pain check:
Where it hurts, how bad it feels, and what it feels like
Using scales to measure how much it hurts
Wound check:
Where wounds are, how big they are, and what they look like
If there’s any liquid, smell, or signs of an infection
Mind check:
Mood and feelings
How someone thinks and talks
If they can understand and follow instructions
Safety check:
Checking if someone might fall over
Looking for any skin problems (like bedsores)
Spotting any dangers in the surroundings
Nurses usually do these checks when they first meet a patient, during regular check-ups, and all the time they’re looking after them.
Writing down these checks accurately is really important for telling other healthcare workers what’s going on and making sure the patient gets the same care all the time.
What are basic clinical observation skills?
Observation skills are very important for nurses and carers. These skills help them understand the health of patients and provide good care. Nurses use their senses (like sight, touch, hearing, and smell) and tools to gather information about a patient’s physical and mental health.
Here are five basic observation skills that nurses and carers need:
Vital Signs: Nurses check things like blood pressure and temperature to make sure everything is normal.
Physical Checks: They look at the skin and check the whole body for any problems.
Function: Nurses see if patients can move and do daily tasks without trouble.
Mental State: They check if patients are alert, in a good mood, and able to speak clearly and think well.
Pain Checks: Nurses ask patients about their pain, where it hurts, and how bad it is.
These skills help nurses and carers collect important information about a patient’s health, which helps them make the right decisions and provide better care.
My staff loved the course and now feel confident to take observations from our service users.
