The National Early Warning Score (NEWS2) system scores the physiological parameters that are frequently taken at the patient’s bedside and enters them into a chart. Its objective is to identify patients who are seriously unwell and help carers track their symptoms and concerns.
The majority of acute hospital trusts, as well as ambulance services general practitioners, nursing homes and care homes use the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) to assess and monitor a person’s state of health and medical condition.
In order to improve detection of adult clinical detection, NHSE and NHSI have integrated to provide an integrated NEWS2 digital scoring system, understood throughout the NHS. Having crucial information stored in one place and in an easily understandable format enables all those involved in the person’s care to monitor signs of acute illnesses and improve medical outcomes.
The NEWS2 system works by assessing a person’s state of health under six physiological parameters. These are:
Six physiological measurements are made and recorded by the NEWS2 system. These are: respiration rate, oxygen saturation, systolic blood pressure, pulse rate, level of consciousness and temperature. Each measurement is scored between 0 and 3 and the sum of the individual points decides the person’s final NEWS2 score.