Early warning system (medical)
| Early warning systems | |
|---|---|
A sample of an Adult Deterioration Detection System designed for Australia | |
| Synonyms | ADDS; NEWS |
| Reference range | Physiological normal observations will generate a score of zero |
| Purpose | to predict the risk of an adverse event or patient deterioration |
| Test of | variation in physiological measures |
An early warning system (EWS), sometimes called a between-the-flags or track-and-trigger chart, is a clinical tool used in healthcare to anticipate patient deterioration by measuring the cumulative variation in observations, most often being patient vital signs and level of consciousness.[1] EWSs emerged in the 1990s with research finding deterioration was often preceded by abnormal vital signs. Early warning systems are heavily utilised internationally with some jurisdictions mandating their use.[2]
Early warning systems are principally designed to identify a deteriorating patient earlier, allowing for early interventions and the prevention of adverse outcomes. EWS scores give a standardised classification to the degree of physiological abnormality, with higher scores representing a higher risk of deterioration.[3]
- ^ Williams B (ed)., ed. (2017). National Early Warning Score (NEWS) 2 – Standardising the assessment of acute illness severity in the NHS. ISBN 978-1-86016-682-2.
- ^ Gerry, Stephen; Bonnici, Timothy; Birks, Jacqueline; Kirtley, Shona; Virdee, Pradeep S; Watkinson, Peter J; Collins, Gary S (20 May 2020). "Early warning scores for detecting deterioration in adult hospital patients: systematic review and critical appraisal of methodology". BMJ. 369: m1501. doi:10.1136/bmj.m1501. ISSN 1756-1833. PMC 7238890. PMID 32434791.
- ^ Saab, Mohamad M.; McCarthy, Bridie; Andrews, Tom; Savage, Eileen; Drummond, Frances J.; Walshe, Nuala; Forde, Mary; Breen, Dorothy; Henn, Patrick; Drennan, Jonathan; Hegarty, Josephine (November 2017). "The effect of adult Early Warning Systems education on nurses' knowledge, confidence and clinical performance: A systematic review". Journal of Advanced Nursing. 73 (11): 2506–2521. doi:10.1111/jan.13322. hdl:10468/5370. ISSN 0309-2402. PMID 28440892.