What is NEWS2 and what physiological measurements does it include?

NEWS2 (National Early Warning Score 2) is a standardized early warning system used by most NHS trusts and all ambulance services to establish a baseline and detect changes in a person's clinical condition. Its six physiological measurements are respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, systolic blood pressure, pulse rate, level of consciousness (or new confusion), and temperature. People who are using oxygen have two extra points added to their total score.

NEWS2 is the latest version of the National Early Warning Score, originally produced by the Royal College of Physicians in 2012 and updated regularly. It is endorsed by NHS England as the universal early warning system for identifying acutely ill patients, including those with sepsis and Covid-19. The system uses an aggregate scoring method in which a score is allocated to each of six routine physiological measurements and then summed. The six measurements are respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, systolic blood pressure, pulse rate, level of consciousness (or new confusion), and temperature. An individual's total score can be recorded on the Royal College of Physicians Observation Chart or the local healthcare record. The score helps nurses and other clinicians recognize deterioration and decide whether to escalate care, guided by local policies and their professional knowledge of the patient.