The Royal College of Physicians has recommended that all National Health Service (NHS) hospitals use the same system—The National Early Warning Score (NEWS)—for scoring acutely ill patients. The system was developed by analyzing hundreds of the scoring metrics currently used by the NHS to recognize patients in need. Using a national system to assess acute illness, detect deterioration in a patient's condition, and prompt a clinical response would help to standardize care and data collection across the country, according to the Royal College of Physicians.
Sources:
- http://www.bmj.com/content/345/bmj.e5135?etoc (subscription required)
- http://www.bmj.com/content/345/bmj.e5041?etoc (subscription required)