This article provides a critical discussion examining why adult patients continue to unnecessarily deteriorate and die despite repeated healthcare policy initiatives. After considering the policy background and reviewing current trends in the data, it proposes some solutions that, if enacted, would, the authors believe, have a direct impact on survival rates. Health professionals working in hospitals are failing to recognise signs of physiological deterioration. As a result, adult patients are dying unnecessarily, estimated to be in the region of 1000 a month. This is despite international healthcare policy requiring practitioners to be appropriately trained to recognise the deteriorating adult patient and to intervene. A literature review centred on health policy for England from 1999 to 2015 was undertaken, with reference to international policy and practice. This article also draws on the authors' combined clinical experience, which is underpinned by relevant research and theory. The implications for nursing could be significant. Change is urgently required otherwise people will continue to die unnecessarily. Health professionals, healthcare organisations and international governments working together can prevent unnecessary deaths from happening within acute hospitals.
Keywords: Critical care; Critical illness; Literature review; Nursing staff; Policy.