Clin Med
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Multicenter Study
Early warning systems in the UK: variation in content and implementation strategy has implications for a NHS early warning system.
The Royal College of Physicians report Acute medical care: the right person, in the right setting--first time advocates the introduction of a standardised NHS Early Warning Score (NEWS). Recommendations for the optimum scoring system have been released by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (NHS QIS) and the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). This study reviewed clinical practice in London and Scotland against national guidelines. ⋯ Forty per cent of London hospitals and 70% of Scottish hospitals incorporated the minimum data set recommended by NICE. Overall, Scotland was closer to achieving standardisation. If NEWS is implemented, consideration of the NHS QIS approach may support a more consistent response.