What does PEWS refer to in a clinical setting?

The term PEWS stands for Paediatric Early Warning Score. This system is utilized in clinical settings to monitor vital signs and other clinical indicators in pediatric patients. It is designed to detect early signs of deterioration in a child’s condition, allowing healthcare professionals to intervene promptly before a patient’s situation becomes critical. The scoring system typically takes into account various parameters such as heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, consciousness level, and temperature, assigning scores based on the child's values compared to established normal ranges.

This proactive approach helps in ensuring that children receive timely and appropriate care, which can significantly improve outcomes in hospitalized pediatric patients. The use of early warning scores like PEWS is part of a broader effort to enhance patient safety and quality of care in healthcare settings.

In contrast, while the other options may sound relevant, they do not align with the established terminology used in clinical practice for identifying at-risk pediatric patients.