NEWS2 score

Question 1

What does NEWS2 mean, and why is it used?

Answer 1

National Early Warning Score 2

Used to score physiological measurements and observation to improve detection and response to clinical deterioration in patients

Question 2

What 7 parameters are measured to calculate a NEWS2 score?

Answer 2

Respiratory rate
Temperature
Pulse rate
Oxygen saturation
Systolic blood pressure
Is patient on air or oxygen
Consciousness

Question 3

What is the total range of NEWS2 scores?

Answer 3

0-20

Question 4

What is the range of a low NEWS2 score, and what should be the clinical response?

Answer 4

1-4

Prompt assessment by registered nurse to decide if care should be escalated or frequency of monitoring should be changed

Question 5

What is the range of a medium NEWS2 score, and what is the clinical response?

Answer 5

5/6

Trigger threshold, urgent review by clinician competent in acute illness assessment, to decide if care should be escalated to critical care team

Question 6

What is the range of a high NEWS2 score, and what is the clinical response?

Answer 6

7 or more

Trigger threshold, emergency assessment by critical care team/clinical team with critical care competencies, patient usually transferred to high-dependency care area

Question 7

At what NEWS2 score do you suspect sepsis?

Answer 7

5 or more

Question 8

What is a single red NEWS2 score, and what is the clinical response?

Answer 8

3 in a single parameter

Unusual so should escalate to prompt assessment by ward-based doctor to decide if frequency of monitoring should be changed and if care should be escalated