Validation of a physiological track and trigger score to identify developing critical illness in haematology patients.
OBJECTIVE
To validate two physiological track and trigger systems; the early warning score (Morgan et al., 1997) and the trust observation chart on a haematology unit. The study aimed to determine whether either of these systems could be used to identify developing critical illness in haematology.


METHODS
A prospective validation study where all patients' physiological observations were recorded, the level of care they were receiving assessed and after data collection finished, the triggers and EWS calculated.


METHODS
A haematology unit in an inner London hospital.


RESULTS
71 patients took part in the study; 17 of these became critically ill. The sensitivity of both systems compared favourably with other studies. However, specificity was lower. This will mean a number of false negative results within this patient group.


CONCLUSIONS
The study concluded that the systems are useful adjuncts to identify developing critical illness in haematology patients but cannot be used in isolation due to the high number of false negative results that occur. Any plan to introduce either system should acknowledge the increase in workload that will result.
Mulligan
Alison
A
Critical Care Unit, T3 University College Hospital, London, United Kingdom. alimully@hotmail.com
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D008131:London; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index