RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Early warning systems in the UK: variation in content and implementation strategy has implications for a NHS early warning system
JF Clinical Medicine
JO Clin Med
FD Royal College of Physicians
SP 424
OP 427
DO 10.7861/clinmedicine.11-5-424
VO 11
IS 5
A1 Caroline Patterson
A1 Fiona Maclean
A1 Cameron Bell
A1 Elora Mukherjee
A1 Leoni Bryan
A1 Thomas Woodcock
A1 Derek Bell
YR 2011
UL http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/11/5/424.abstract
AB The Royal College of Physicians report Acute medical care: the right person, in the right setting–first time advocates the introduction of a standardised NHS Early Warning Score (NEWS).1 Recommendations for the optimum scoring system have been released by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (NHS QIS) and the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). This study reviewed clinical practice in London and Scotland against national guidelines. All hospitals responsible for acute medical admissions completed a telephone survey (n=25 London; n=23 Scotland). All used an early warning system at point of entry to care. Eleven different systems were used in London and five in Scotland. Forty per cent of London hospitals and 70% of Scottish hospitals incorporated the minimum data set recommended by NICE. Overall, Scotland was closer to achieving standardisation. If NEWS is implemented, consideration of the NHS QIS approach may support a more consistent response.