Nurse-administered early warning score system can be used for emergency department triage

Studies have shown that early warning score systems can identify in-patients at high risk of catastrophic deterioration and this may possibly be used for an emergency department (ED) triage. Bispebjerg Hospital has introduced a multidisciplinary team (MT) in the ED activated by the Bispebjerg Early Warning Score (BEWS). The BEWS is calculated on the basis of respiratory frequency, pulse, systolic blood pressure, temperature and level of consciousness. The aim of this study is to evaluate the ability of the BEWS to identify critically ill patients in the ED and to examine the feasibility of using the BEWS to activate an MT response.