title: Improving recognition of patients at risk in a Portuguese general hospital: results from a preliminary study on the early warning score.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Early warning score (EWS) is a system that assists in the timely recognition of hospitalized patients outside critical care areas with potential or established critical illness at risk of deteriorating and who may be receiving suboptimal care. No such systems have been implemented in Portuguese National Health Service's wards. We performed a preliminary study to assess the potential outcome of applying the EWS in our hospital setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  An observational retrospective study was conducted based on 100 patients assessed by the outreach team due to an acute event. The EWS was calculated a posteriori on three preceding periods from the acute deterioration (-12, -24, and -72 h).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 35 patients, there was insufficient recording of vital signs. The final sample of 65 patients includes 62.0% men, and the mean age (±SD) was 67 ± 16 years old. Respiratory problems were the main cause of deterioration (44.6%). The EWS score increased from -72 to -12 h. More than half of cases (63.0%) were admitted into high care units, and their mean (±SD) score was higher in comparison to those remaining in general wards (Intermediate Care Units 3.75 ± 1.9, Intensive Care Units 4.2 ± 1.5, wards 3.5 ± 1.4). Score at -24 and -12 h seemed to predict length of stay (LoS; p < 0.05) and mortality, respectively. The EWS would have incremented early medical attention by 40.0% if a threshold of ≥3 was used.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EWS systems are not widely used in Portuguese health service. Our data suggests that the EWS would allow early recognition for a higher number of patients in comparison to current ward care. Clinical worsening, lengths of stay, admission into high care units, and mortality may be predicted by the EWS. Prospective studies with multivariable analysis are needed to clarify the global outcome of the EWS implementation in national wards.
authors: Emergency Service, University Hospital - Centro Hospitalar São João, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, Porto 4200-319, Portugal.
authors: Nuno
authors: N
authors: Correia
authors: Internal Medicine Service, University Hospital - Centro Hospitalar São João, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, Porto 4200-319, Portugal.
authors: Rui Paulo
authors: RP
authors: Rodrigues
authors: Primary Healthcare Unit 'Saúde em Família', Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, Porto 4200-319, Portugal.
authors: Márcia Carvalho
authors: MC
authors: Sá
authors: Internal Medicine Intermediate Care Unit, Internal Medicine Service, University Hospital - Centro Hospitalar São João, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, Porto 4200-319, Portugal.
authors: Paula
authors: P
authors: Dias
authors: Commission of In-Hospital Resuscitation, University Hospital - Centro Hospitalar São João, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, Porto 4200-319, Portugal.
authors: Luís
authors: L
authors: Lopes
authors: Intensive Care Department, University Hospital - Centro Hospitalar São João, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, Porto 4200-319, Portugal ; Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, Porto 4200-319, Portugal.
authors: Artur
authors: A
authors: Paiva
keywords: Early warning score; Emergency; Track and trigger; Triage
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