How often should a stable patient be reassessed?

In the context of patient care, particularly for a stable patient, reassessment is essential to ensure their ongoing safety and wellbeing. A stable patient typically shows no significant changes in vital signs or their overall condition. In such cases, the standard practice is to reassess the patient every 15 minutes. This interval allows healthcare providers to monitor for any subtle changes that may not be immediately apparent while still ensuring that the patient remains stable and suitable for ongoing treatment or observation.

Reassessing more frequently, such as every 5 or 10 minutes, may not be necessary and could lead to unnecessary stress for both the patient and the healthcare team, as it may divert attention from other critical patients who may need immediate care. Conversely, waiting too long, such as every 20 minutes, could result in missing a deterioration in the patient’s condition if it were to occur. Thus, a 15-minute interval strikes a balance between vigilant monitoring and practical management of resources.