A national survey of obstetric early warning systems in the United Kingdom: five years on

Abstract

SummaryThe Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths in the UK have recommended obstetric early warning systems for early identification of clinical deterioration to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. This survey explored early warning systems currently used by maternity units in the UK. An electronic questionnaire was sent to all 205 lead obstetric anaesthetists under the auspices of the Obstetric Anaesthetists' Association, generating 130 (63%) responses. All respondents reported use of an obstetric early warning system, compared with 19% in a similar survey in 2007. Respondents agreed that the six most important physiological parameters to record were respiratory rate, heart rate, temperature, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and oxygen saturation. One hundred and eighteen (91%) lead anaesthetists agreed that early warning systems helped to prevent obstetric morbidity. Staffing pressures were perceived as the greatest barrier to their use, and improved audit, education and training for healthcare professionals were identified as priority areas.

Maternal bacteremia and the Irish maternity early warning system

“…Two surveys published in 2014 have assessed the experiences of clinicians working with obstetric EWS in the UK [13,14]. Under the auspices of the Obstetric Anaesthetists Association, 205 lead obstetric anesthetists were surveyed with a 63.4% (n = 130) response rate [13].…”

“…Under the auspices of the Obstetric Anaesthetists Association, 205 lead obstetric anesthetists were surveyed with a 63.4% (n = 130) response rate [13]. All respondents (100%) reported use of EWS as compared with 19.0% (n = 30) reported in a 2007 survey [15].…”

“…The Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts introduced by the National Health Service Litigation Authority requires maternity services to have a process for using an obstetric EWS to support recognition of a severely ill woman [16]. Despite the rapid introduction of EWS into the maternity services in the UK, it is acknowledged that no country or group has validated the use of obstetric EWS and that clinical audit of use in the maternity wards has been absent [13,14].…”

Maternal Early Warning Systems

“…From Mhyre JM, D'Oria R, Hameed AB, et al The maternal early warning criteria: a proposal from the national partnership for maternal safety. Obstet Gynecol 2014;124:782-6; with permission.resources to maternal early warning systems, 38 leadership has shown enthusiasm with survey research showing high rates of hospital adoption of MEOWS within the United Kingdom 39. …”

Sistemas De Avaliação Precoce Na Identificação De Morbidades Maternas: Revisão Sistemática

“…Outros quatro artigos descrevem o emprego do instrumento de avaliação denominado NEWS (National Early Warning Score), sendo uma ferramenta para avaliar o risco de gravidade em pacientes com mal-estar agudo , v. 10, n. 3, p. 587-596, setembro/dezembro 2017 -ISSN 1983-1870 -e-ISSN 2176-9206 no ambiente hospitalar (ISAACS, 2014).…”