Information for the public

About this information

NICE clinical guidelines advise the NHS on caring for people with specific conditions or diseases and the treatments they should receive. The information applies to people using the NHS in England and Wales.

This information explains the advice about monitoring patients in hospital and caring for them if their health becomes worse that is set out in NICE clinical guideline 50.

Does this information apply to me?

Yes, if you are an adult who is a patient in hospital, including if you are in an emergency department being admitted to hospital, or are being moved between departments.

No, if you are:

  • a child, or the parent or carer of a child, who is in hospital

  • a patient in a critical care area, for example in an intensive care or high dependency unit

  • having treatment for symptoms and pain in the final stages of a terminal illness.