Implementing the modified early warning system: our experiences

A modified early warning system (MEWS) has been developed and implemented in acute surgical care across Lanarkshire. This move comes in response to evidence of suboptimal care prior to admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and the recommendations of the critical care review papers (Department of Health, 2000; Scottish Executive, 2000). The main aim of this paper is to outline the experiences of modifying the early warning system, the educational preparation of medical, nursing and paramedical staff and the results of the pilot study. Further studies require to be undertaken in order to investigate the efficacy of early warning systems on clinical outcomes and subsequent morbidity.