1. Pediatric Early Warning Score
PEWS

2. What is it?
Tool assigns designated scores for the following areas of the patient assessment:
Neuro/Behavior
Cardiac
Respiratory
< 24 hours of admission
Transfer from ED

3. Based on the results of the patient assessment, an objective score is given with a corresponding action plan for the score that provides the nurse assistance in determining the needed level of care for the patient
Has been in use in acute care areas since December 2012

5. Why do I need to know this?
Beginning Dec 15th - all patients transferring out of an ICU to acute care need to have a PEWS score recorded when they are placed in bedboard and with VS thereafter.

16. Why is the score important?
If the score is >4 (Yellow, Orange or Red) then the CSL/RSL and the team needs to be notified and patient reassessed for readiness to transfer.
PEWS score should be included in your report to the RN on the receiving unit.

17. GOAL
Decrease number of patients who “bounce-back to the ICU within 48 hours of transfer to acute care.