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Table 1 National Early Warning Score (NEWS) used in the Capital Region of Denmark, [10]. : Alert (A), verbal (V), pain (P), unresponsive (U), »MET: Medical Emergency Team

From: Incidence of in-hospital cardiac arrest at general wards before and after implementation of an early warning score

Vital sign

3

2

1

0

1

2

3

Respiratory rate, min− 1

<  9

 

9–11

12–20

 

21–24

>  24

Arterial oxygen saturation, %

<  92

92–93

94–95

>  95

   

Oxygen supplement

L x min− 1

 

Yes

 

No

   

Pulse rate, min−1

<  41

 

41–50

51–90

91–110

111–130

>  130

Systolic blood pressure

mmHg

<  91

91–100

101–110

111–219

  

>  219

Mental status, AVPU

   

A

  

V, P, U

Temperature, °C

<  35.1

 

35.1–36.0

36.1–38.0

38.1–39.0

>  39.0

 

EWS algorithm

NEWS

Frequency of monitoring

Clinical response according to escalation protocol

0–1

Minimum 12 hourly

± 1 h

Continue EWS monitoring minimum 12 hourly

Frequency can be increased

2

Minimum 6 hourly

± 30 min

Nursing staff ABCDE optimise

3–5

Minimum 4 hourly

Nursing staff ABCDE optimise AND informs the on-call physician

The on-call physician makes a documented treatment plan

6

Minimum 4 hourly

Nursing staff ABCDE optimise AND contacts the on-call physician immediately

The on-call physician assesses AND makes a documented treatment plan

7–8

Minimum 1 hourly

Nursing staff ABCDE optimise AND contacts the on-call physician immediately – attends within 30 min

The on-call physician assesses AND makes a documented treatment plan immediately

Consider contacting the MET» or anaesthesiologic assistance

>  9

Minimum 0.5 hourly

Nursing staff ABCDE optimise AND contacts the on-call physician immediately – attends within 15 min

The on-call physician assesses AND makes a documented treatment plan immediately

Consider contacting the MET» or anaesthesiologic assistance