How often should critical patients be monitored?

Critical patients require close monitoring due to the instability of their condition and the potential for rapid changes that can occur. Monitoring every 5 to 15 minutes is essential in ensuring that any deterioration in the patient's status is promptly recognized and addressed. This frequent assessment allows healthcare providers to respond quickly to changes in vital signs, level of consciousness, or other important clinical indicators that may signal a need for immediate intervention.

In contrast, longer intervals such as 1-2 hours or every 4 to 8 hours may not provide adequate oversight for a critically ill patient, as significant deterioration could occur in that timeframe without being detected. Therefore, the standard practice is to perform monitoring at more frequent intervals to ensure patient safety and effective management.