Early warning scores: unravelling detection and escalation.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this paper is to increase understanding of how patient deterioration is detected and how clinical care escalates when early warning score (EWS) systems are used.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The authors critically review a recent National Early Warning Score paper published in IJHCQA using personal experience and EWS-related publications, and debate the difference between detection and escalation.

FINDINGS

Incorrect EWS choice or poorly understood EWS escalation may result in unnecessary workloads forward and responding staff.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

EWS system implementers may need to revisit their guidance materials; medical and nurse educators may need to expand the curriculum to improve EWS system understanding and use.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The paper raises the EWS debate and alerts EWS users that scrutiny is required.