Nursing implications of an early warning system implemented to reduce adverse events: a qualitative study.
Braun EJ, Singh S, Penlesky AC, et al. Nursing implications of an early warning system implemented to reduce adverse events: a qualitative study. BMJ Qual Saf. 2022;31(10):716-724. doi:10.1136/bmjqs-2021-014498.
Early warning systems (EWS) use patient data from the electronic health record to alert clinicians to potential patient deterioration. Twelve months after a new EWS was implemented in one hospital, nurses were interviewed to gather their perspectives on the program experience, utility, and implementation. Six themes emerged: timeliness, lack of accuracy, workflow interruptions, actionability of alerts, underappreciation of core nursing skills, and opportunity cost.