FOBS: Frequency of Observations
A collaborative research project led by the University of Portsmouth and involving the University of Southampton, Oxford University and Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust
The aim of the project is to develop a protocol for how frequently clinical staff should take vital sign observations of patients in hospital. We will be:
1. analysing historic data about patients to determine this;
2. measuring the time nurses spend taking observations;
3. talking to patients and staff about their experience and views.
This will hopefully lead to better use of nurses' time and a better experience for patients.
The project's full title is:
Safer and more efficient vital signs monitoring to identify the deteriorating patient: An observational study towards deriving evidence-based protocols for patient surveillance on the general hospital ward
but we call it "FOBS" - short for "Frequency of Observations".
The project began on 1st October 2018 and ran until 30th September 2021 (extended from 31st March 2021).
The project's final report was published in March 2024 and can be found here.
This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) HS&DR (Grant Reference Number 17/05/03). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.
More information
Plain English summary of what the project is about
Data policy: information for patients and NHS staff
Questions
If you have any questions or comments about our research, please email us at fobs-contact-group@port.ac.uk
