[Early Warning Score in primary care in Denmark]

This study investigates the implementation of Early Warning Score in primary care. Infections such as pneumonia or urinary tract infections are more frequent in older age and mortality increases with age. Early diagnosis of such conditions is thus important. This study showed that Early Warning Score in primary care is adequate to trace elderly in need of medical assistance. At a score ≤ 2 24% were visited by a doctor or admitted directly. At a score ≥ 5 this number increased to 45%. At a score ≤ 5 11% were admitted to hospital and at a score ≥ 5 31% were admitted to hospital.