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This document outlines the escalation algorithm to follow at ACH in the event of a Pediatric Early Warning System (PEWS) Activation.
An Early Warning System (EWS) is a decision support tool that is designed to assist nurses in recognizing patient deterioration and avoiding failure to rescue. When a clinician enters a patient’s vitals and clinical parameters, the EWS calculates a score. When the cumulative score reaches a target range indicating the patient is at risk of deterioration, the EWS presents Best Practice Advisories (BPAs) to nursing staff and respiratory therapists. The BPAs will provide the following information:
- Identification of the issue (i.e., Early warning system score has increased)
- Urgency of the situation (i.e., medium or high risk of deterioration)
- Suggested next steps
The (P)EWS score will also be displayed in the patient list so that the care team will have better situational awareness for all patients.
The PEWS will be used in pediatric medicine and surgery settings. It will not be used in critical care, operative areas, or the emergency department.
