OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the Pediatric Early Warning Score (PEWS)
sensitivity as an early indicator of patients deterioration leading to a
Rapid Response Team (RRT)/code event. We hypothesized that at least
80% of patients had a critical PEWS preceding the event. We determined
staff awareness of deterioration in patient status prior to the event as
evidenced by consults, addition of monitoring equipment or increased
frequency of assessment. The timing of these events was compared to
critical PEWS times.
METHODS: One hundred and seventy non-ICU RRT and 16 code events
were identified between October 2006 and February 2008. We completed
retrospective PEWS at four-hour intervals or less for twenty-four
hours preceding the event. The PEWS algorithm, guiding staff to consult
at a critical score 4 or a single domain score equal to 3, was applied.
RESULTS: For 85.5% of patients the earliest indicator of deterioration,
evidenced by a critical PEWS, was a median of 11 hours 36 minutes and
the earliest preceding the event was 30 minutes. For 97.1% of patients
the earliest median time to a consult was 80 minutes. Oximetry was
added 6.9 hours for 43.5% of patients. 7% of patients had increased
nursing assessment. A sub-group of patients had 1) critical PEWS,
2) consult and 3) addition of a monitor. The median time for earliest
critical PEWS for these was significant (P 0.001).
CONCLUSION: PEWS can potentially provide a forewarning time 11
hours, alerting the team to adapt the care plan and possibly averting
an RRT or code. Pediatrics 2010;125:e763–e769