National Early Warning Scores and COVID-19 [COVID-19]
Research type
Research Study
Full title
National Early Warning Scores (NEWS) and component physiology in COVID-19 positive hospitalised patients in the West of England
IRAS ID
284987
Contact name
Lauren Scott
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bristol
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 31 days
Research summary
Early warning scores have been used in hospital settings for many years to aid identification of deterioration and improve patient outcomes. Scores are calculated from physiological observations, with higher scores indicating a patient is more unwell. \n\nThe National Early Warning Score (NEWS) was developed in 2012 by the Royal College of Physicians to align scoring across the country. NEWS (or more recently NEWS2) is calculated by measuring a number of parameters (including heart rate, body temperature and blood pressure), assigning each parameter a sub-score depending on how abnormal the measurement is (according to pre-defined rules), and then adding up all the sub-scores. NEWS values lie from 0-20, with higher scores resulting from more abnormal physiological measurements. \n\nNEWS2 is now mandated by NHS England for use in hospital settings and the ambulance service, and is also recommended for use in out-of-hospital settings including general practice and community care. \n\nAs the purpose of using NEWS2 is to detect all-cause deterioration, it should be appropriate to use this scoring system in patients who have a potential or confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. However, there is evolving clinical awareness that patient observations are not behaving as anticipated in COVID-19 patients. There is therefore a need for evidence about whether NEWS2 and its component parts have a value in identifying deterioration and poor outcomes in patients who are COVID-19 positive. \n\nThe aim of this study is to investigate NEWS2 scores and their relationship to patient mortality in COVID-19 positive hospitalised patients in the West of England.\n
REC name
N/A
REC reference
N/A