World’s largest early warning system for severe child illness to launch in NHS A&Es across England
Paediatric early warning system (Pews) uses a vital signs scoring system to assess whether a child is deteriorating The world’s largest “early warning system” to spot when sick children are dangerously deteriorating is being introduced in A&E departments across England, NHS leaders have said. The national paediatric early warning system (Pews) uses a scoring system for vital signs to assess…
A groundbreaking paediatric early warning system (Pews) is set to launch in NHS A&E departments across England this winter, marking the world's largest implementation of its kind. Developed to identify when children are rapidly deteriorating, Pews uses a scoring system for vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rates, oxygen levels, and consciousness.
Already employed in inpatient settings, this winter will witness Pews' expansion to emergency departments, becoming the most extensive standardized scoring system globally. Medical professionals can utilize Pews to measure, record, and assess a child's vital signs, triggering immediate attention when a high score indicates deterioration. However, Pews is designed to complement, not replace, the professional judgment and input of parents, carers, and the child themselves.
Duncan Burton, the chief nursing officer for England, emphasized the system's significance in fast-paced emergency departments, where staff need to swiftly recognize warning signs and make timely decisions. The Pews system incorporates age-appropriate charts to identify abnormal signs of deterioration in infants, children, and young people. With over 6 million children annually attending A&E in England, this system could prove invaluable during the bustling winter season.
Similar to the national early warning system for adults, the rollout aims to enhance rapid decision-making in crowded A&E environments. Dr. Mike McKean, the vice-president for policy at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, welcomed the initiative, highlighting the importance of the Pews charts for pediatricians and child health teams. Prof. Lynn Woolsey of the Royal College of Nursing echoed the sentiment, stressing the critical role of early escalation in patient safety, particularly for children.
The Pews system has already been in use in over 90 hospitals across England, with NHS England reporting lower cardiac arrest rates among patients treated using this tool. The success of Pews in inpatient settings has paved the way for its expansion to A&E departments, where a standardised approach to assessing deterioration could significantly improve care, communication, and patient outcomes.
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