Implementation of the Bedside Paediatric Early Warning System (BedsidePEWS) for nurse identification of deteriorating patients.

Abstract

The purpose was to explore nurses' and physicians' recognition of signs of deterioration and management of symptoms. This descriptive, cross-sectional study used an electronic survey with 35 nurses and 17 physicians. Nurses using the Bedside Paediatric Early Warning System (BedsidePEWS) were significantly more likely to recognize risk for deterioration and respond with appropriate interventions. Physicians incorporating BedsidePEWS were more likely to choose reliable indicators of deterioration and reported significantly more effective communication from nurses to identify deterioration. BedsidePEWS may improve nurses' and physicians' abilities to recognize early signs of patient deterioration, communicate findings to providers, and plan interventions.