Paediatric early warning systems (PEWS) to reduce in-hospital mortality have been a laudable endeavour. Evaluation of their impact has rarely examined the internal validity of the components of PEWS in achieving desired outcomes. We highlight the assumptions made regarding the mode of action of PEWS and, as PEWS become more commonplace, this paper asks whether we really understand their function, process and outcome.
Keywords: child health services; emergency service, hospital; health services research; mortality; paediatrics.
© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. Re-use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ.