What Are Therapeutic Observations?
Therapeutic observations are regular, structured checks on patients, mainly used in hospitals, care homes, and mental health settings across the UK. They’re not just for safety – they help staff understand patients better, provide support early, and improve overall care.
Why Are They Important?
Keeping Patients Safe
- Protecting Vulnerable People: Especially important for patients with mental health issues, dementia, or learning disabilities.
- Preventing Harm: Helps staff notice signs of self-harm or distress early.
Learning About the Patient
- Helping with Diagnosis: Observing daily behavior gives real insight into how a patient is doing.
- Spotting Triggers: Staff may notice what situations or emotions cause stress.
- Seeing Patterns: Builds a clearer picture of a patient’s habits and routines.
Better Communication
- Keeping Records: Good notes make sure care is consistent and legally sound.
- Teamwork: Observations are shared during handovers to keep everyone informed.
- Updating Families: Helps loved ones stay informed about the patient’s progress.
Building Relationships
- Not Just Watching: It’s also about spending time with the patient, talking to them, and earning their trust.
- Preventing Problems: Talking early on can calm difficult situations.
- Emotional Support: Being present and caring can reduce patient anxiety.
Improving Care Plans
- Checking What Works: Staff can see if treatments are helping.
- Making Adjustments: Observations help doctors and nurses decide if changes are needed.
- Personalized Care: Observations feed directly into care that’s tailored to each person.
Benefits of Therapeutic Observations
- Patient Safety: Helps prevent incidents like self-harm or aggression.
- Faster Recovery: Building trust and offering emotional support can help patients recover quicker.
- Focus on the Individual: New NHS programmes now put more emphasis on dignity, compassion, and meeting each person’s needs.
- Shorter Hospital Stays: Spotting needs early can mean patients go home sooner.
- More Efficient Staffing: Planned observations help staff work better together and reduce the need for temporary staff.
Who Should Do Observations?
Anyone involved in patient care should be trained in therapeutic observations, including:
- Registered Nurses
- Mental Health Nurses
- Healthcare Support Workers
- Community Care Staff
- Hospital-at-Home Workers
- Nursing Assistants
- Occupational Therapists
- Paramedics
- Social Workers
Following the Rules
- NHS and CQC Guidelines: Observations are part of the official standards of care.
- Mental Health Act: In some cases, observations are a legal requirement.
Quick Note:
You can complete an online Therapeutic Observations and Engagement course through Train Healthcare. It takes about an hour and gives you 1 CPD point plus a certificate when finished.