nEWS Observations

• Document No.

• Observation Focus

• Clinical Area

• Conducted on

  Date

• Prepared by

• Location
  Address

• Personnel

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE OBSERVER

• 1. Ask your colleague to talk you through what they will do to take systematic observations of the patient
  
  2. Show the checklist and check any misconceptions (if time permits ask a 'what if question; e.g. if the patient is not responsive what will you do?)
  
  3. Observe your colleague doing a systematic assessment and nEWS.
  
  4. Once the assessment is complete, check the documentation and probe the interpretation of results ( Are you concerned? Why? Why not?)
  
  5. Send your observations in an email for your colleague's portfolio and for revalidation

• 1. Introduces themselves to the patient, explains the task appropriately and gains consent

  Yes

  Partially

  No

• 2. Ensures the patient's name and hospital number are correctly documented on the EWS chart

  Yes

  Partially

  No

• 3. Identifies the radial pulse and correctly and identifies the rate and rhythm (e.g. was it rapid?)

  Yes

  Partially

  No

• 4. Identifies correctly and records the respiratory rate and pattern (e.g. shallow breaths? use of accessory muscles?)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 5. Records accurate oxygen saturation and understands the significance of the heart rate display (e.g. compares with manual pulse check for accuracy)

  Yes

  Partially

  No

• 6. Records the flow rate of oxygen, the device in use and identifies if the patient is within the prescribed saturation parameters

  Yes

  Partially

  No

• 7. Records reads and documents the temperature correctly

  Yes

  Partially

  No

• 8. Performs an accurate assessment of AVPU asking open questions

  Yes

  Partially

  No

• 9. In measuring blood pressure, selects the correct size BP cuff, positions it correctly on the patient's arm, and uses automated medical device appropriately to obtain BP.

  Yes

  Partially

  No

• 10. Records EWS parameters correctly,, calculates score accurately and documents

  Yes

  Partially

  No

• 11. Interprets the EWS score, identifies appropriate escalation actions and documents.

  Yes

  Partially

  No

• 12. Chooses the appropriate frequency of observations based on EWS

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 13. Comments and action plan (e.g. positives, areas for improvement)

• 15. How would you rate the performance overall?

  Excellent

  Very Good

  Satisfactory

  Needs improvement

  Unsatisfactory

• Observer Signature

  Sign