title: Distinguishing between acute and chronic elements of ill health when assessing patients.
abstract: Recognising ill health in patients is a multifaceted skill. Nurses can use aneclectic mix of assessment tools to differentiate between the severity of acute illness and to grade chronic illness. The end point of such assessment is an appropriate and individualised patient management plan.
authors.affiliation: Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath, West Sussex.
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hunter
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index