What is the purpose of a focused assessment?

The purpose of a focused assessment is to gather specific data about a particular problem or system that has been identified. This type of assessment is targeted and concentrated, allowing healthcare professionals to delve deeper into specific issues rather than collecting information on every aspect of the patient's health.

Focused assessments are particularly useful in clinical settings where a specific concern has been identified, such as pain in a particular area, signs of respiratory distress, or the potential for infection. By concentrating on the specific issue, healthcare providers can more accurately identify needs, prioritize interventions, and locate the most effective approaches to treatment for the patient’s immediate concerns.

This differs from broader assessments that collect general information or evaluate overall health status, which are more comprehensive in nature and address multiple systems or problems at once.