Use of Evidence-Based Vital Signs in Pediatric Early Warning Score to Predict Clinical Deterioration on Acute Care Units

The pediatric early warning score (PEWS) is a tool used to predict clinical deterioration. Referenced vital sign parameters are based on expert opinion but heart rate and respiratory rate percentiles in hospitalized children have been published. This retrospective case-control study of unplanned intensive care unit (ICU) transfers compares evidence-based vital signs (EBVS) effect on PEWS sensitivity and specificity, determines the impact of age categories on PEWS deterioration prediction, and evaluates whether EBVS PEWS is associated with need for invasive ICU supports. EBVS PEWS improved sensitivity (43%-71% vs 30%-63%) for unplanned transfers with slightly decreased specificity (88%-98% vs 93%-99%). Logistic regression analysis and odds ratios (ORs) demonstrated EBVS PEWS was associated with increased risk for ICU-specific supports (OR = 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.0-1.34, P = .0498). Evidence-based vital signs can improve PEWS sensitivity to identify unplanned ICU transfers and identify patients requiring ICU-specific interventions.