National Early Warning Score systems that alert to deteriorating adult patients in hospital

Equality considerations

NICE is committed to promoting equality, eliminating unlawful discrimination and fostering good relations between people with particular protected characteristics and others.

Older patients who are unwell are more likely to be treated in acute and general inpatient settings than younger patients, and therefore are more likely to be monitored by the technologies covered in this briefing. The National Early Warning Score does not apply to children under 16 or pregnant women. Comparable EWS algorithms are being developed by NHS England, NHS Improvement and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) for paediatrics. Age and pregnancy are protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.