Recognition of Acute Deterioration

Identifying Attributes

Care Settings
Hospital Care
Country
Scotland
Publishing Organisation
Scottish Patient Safety Programme (SPSP) Acute Adult
Type of Quality Indicator
Process
IOM Quality Dimension
Effectiveness
Domain
Emergency Care

Defining Attributes

Definition

Percentage compliance with correct frequency of observations using the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) 2. The NEWS2 augments clinical judgement in the identification of acutely ill and deteriorating patients.

Numerator

The number of patients with the last 5 NEWS2 observations performed at the correct frequency as per local policy.

Denominator

The total number of patients in sample

Exclusions

Patients admitted < 24 hours.

Use of Risk Adjustment
No
Risk Adjustments
Stratifications

Collection and Reporting Attributes

Type of Data Collection
Electronic/paper chart records
Data Collection Methods

NEWS2 chart

Frequency of Data Collection
Monthly
Frequency of Data Collection in Days
30
Reporting Methods

Discovery online management information system

Reporting Frequency
Monthly
Reporting Frequency in Days
30
Indicator Has Recommended Targets
No

Source and Reference Attributes

Link to Measurement Tools
Quality Indicator Confirmed to be Part of a Program Used to Monitor Quality and Safety of Care Among Older People at a Population-Level between 2012-2022
Yes
Assessed by the Australian Consortium for Aged Care Collaborators as Generally Containing Good Properties (Importance and Scientific Acceptability)
No
Australian Consortium for Aged Care Endorsed
No
Identified by PHARMA-Care Project
No
Upload Date
02 December 2025