Hollis et al used an early warning score (EWS) for the early identification of critical postoperative complications. This was based on the VitalPAC EWS (ViEWS). The authors are from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Patient selection: postoperative status
Parameters:
(1) heart rate in beats per mintue
(2) systolic blood pressure in mm Hg
(3) respiratory rate in breaths per minute
(4) temperature in Fahrenheit
(5) oxygen saturation in percent
(6) alertness
Parameter
Finding
Points
heart rate
<= 40
2
41 to 50
1
51 to 90
0
91 to 110
1
111 to 130
2
>= 131
3
systolic blood pressure
<= 90
3
91 to 100
2
101 to 110
1
111 to 249
0
>= 250
1
respiratory rate
<= 8
3
9 to 11
1
12 to 20
0
21 to 24
2
>= 25
3
temperature °F
<= 95
3
95.1 to 96.8
1
96.9 to 100.4
0
100.5 to 102.2
1
>= 102.3
2
oxygen saturation
>= 96%
0
94-95%
1
92-93%
2
<= 91%
3
alertness
alert
0
not alert
3
total score =
= SUM(points for all of the parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 18
• A high or rising trend the EWS can help identify a major complication early.
• A falling trend was associated with uncomplicated recovery.
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