RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 NEWS2 and the older person
JF Clinical Medicine
JO Clin Med
FD Royal College of Physicians
SP 522
OP 524
DO 10.7861/clinmed.2022-0426
VO 22
IS 6
A1 Emma RLC Vardy
A1 Daniel Lasserson
A1 Robert O Barker
A1 Barbara Hanratty
YR 2022
UL http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/22/6/522.abstract
AB The National Early Warning Score (NEWS), published in 2012, made no specific adjustments for older people. The updated NEWS2 (2017) incorporated new confusion as a category for consciousness. In this article, we consider the role of NEWS2 in detection of acute clinical deterioration in older people and how the score may be used to inform care, highlighting the additional aspects, such as care escalation decisions, that may ensue. We consider the evidence of NEWS and NEWS2 in assessment of the older person in different settings, including the potential benefits and limitations for care home residents. We suggest that NEWS2 may need adaptation for older people in future iterations, and that it should be used in conjunction with other clinical assessments, such as the Clinical Frailty Scale and the four ‘A's test (4AT) for delirium.