NEWS2 in Primary Care elearning

The NEWS2 in Primary Care session introduces the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) and its use in a primary care setting. It also includes:

• Evidence of NEWS and its use in the community.
• Its effective use between primary and secondary care.
• Links to other useful resources and references for further research.

The Case studies of NEWS in Primary Care session contains practical examples of when NEWS could be used and offers the primary care clinician the opportunity to consider how they might manage patients in similar situations.

The Secondary Care training package has been developed for healthcare staff in secondary care settings and comprises two learning resources:

1. Using NEWS2 in the recognition of deterioration

This resource covers:

• The need for a National Early Warning Score (NEWS2) and the evidence to support its use.
• Raising awareness and increase understanding of how the National Early Warning Score (NEWS2) is used in the recognition and response to deterioration in secondary care settings.
• Understanding the purpose of SBARD as a structured communication tool.

2. NEWS2 in Secondary Care – case studies

This resource supports the effective diagnosis and management of NEWS2 in relation to deterioration, and includes case studies on:

• Anaphylaxis
• Gastro intestinal bleed
• Hospital acquired pneumonia
• Pulmonary embolus
• Pulmonary oedema
• Urinary tract infection

NEWS training for frontline staff

This elearning module and case studies have been developed for all frontline clinical staff by the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

By the end of the session, learners will be able to:

• describe the process of applying the NEWS2 tool in a clinical environment
• recognise the NEWS2 scoring system and how to apply this to a patient in a clinical environment
• demonstrate the use of the tool using the case studies provided.
• understand the thresholds, triggers, pathways and escalation to appropriate care following application of the tool.
• understand the need for system wide standardisation

NEWS training for paramedics

1. The NEWS training for paramedics offers learners an overview of NEWS2 and specific case studies relevant to staff working in ambulance services.

The resource covers:

• the need for a National Early Warning Score (NEWS2) and the evidence to support its use
• raising awareness and increase understanding of how the National Early Warning Score (NEWS2) is used in the recognition and response to deterioration
• understanding the purpose of ATMISTER as a structured communication tool
• case studies that offer learners the opportunity to consider how they might manage patients in similar situations

2. The Train the Trainer training package contains all sections of the NEWS2 in Ambulance Service elearning in a PowerPoint format and can be used in a facilitated learning session.

The NEWS in mental health settings elearning session offers learners an overview of the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) and specific case studies relevant to staff involved in the care of patients with mental health conditions.

This resource covers:

• the need for a National Early Warning Score (NEWS2) and the evidence to support its use
• raising awareness and increase understanding of how the National Early Warning Score (NEWS2) is used in the recognition and response to deterioration
• understanding the purpose of SBARD as a structured communication tool
• case studies that offer learners the opportunity to consider how they might manage patients in similar situations

Train the Trainer package

This training package contains all sections of the NEWS2 in Mental Health settings elearning in a PowerPoint format and can be used in a facilitated learning session.

Deterioration, NEWS2 and sepsis in care homes

These learning resources on Deterioration, NEWS2 and sepsis have been designed in particular for care home staff to ensure care home residents receive appropriate, timely medical care. They provide a comprehensive training for non-clinical carers in the community. The training may also be suitable for health care assistants working in other settings and nursing students.

This is a mainly film-based course that covers:

• An introduction to NEWS2 in care home settings and its benefits
• An introduction to sepsis and serious illness
• The importance and significance of soft signs
• An overview of each component part of NEWS2 and how to measure:
• Respiratory rate
• Oxygen saturations
• Blood pressure
• Pulse rate
• Level of alertness
• Temperature

The new national Maternity Early Warning Score (MEWS) tool sits within NHS England’s PIER framework and has been developed with key stakeholders to replace the range of different MEWS tools that are currently available. MEWS has been designed to ensure that identification of deterioration is based on pure physiology using a total score, which is combined with subjective assessments (additional concerns) that support the escalation process.
The elearning session, Introduction to the Maternity Early Warning Score, introduces the new national MEWS tool and describes why and how the tool was developed. The session:

• describes how MEWS links to the PIER framework
• explains how to complete a MEWS tool
• explains the difference of postnatal pulse and the significance on the MEWS tool
• describes how the presence of additional concerns supports escalation
• describes the graduated thresholds and triggers table

Access the MEWS elearning session.

The new Newborn Early Warning Track and Trigger (NEWTT2) tool sits within NHS England’s PIER framework and replaces the NEWTT framework designed by the British Association of Perinatal Medicine (BAPM) in 2015. BAPM have updated the tool to reflect quality improvement methodology and feedback from healthcare professionals.

The elearning session, Deterioration of the newborn NEWTT2, introduces the NEWTT2 tool. The session:

• explains the link between NEWTT2 and PIER framework
• describes how to complete a NEWTT2 tool
• explains the inclusion of normothermia and critical observations
• explains the graduated thresholds and triggers table

Access the NEWTT2 elearning session

The new national Paediatric Early Warning System (PEWS) chart monitors deterioration in children in inpatient settings, and is supported by other aspects of the PEWS.

This elearning module is for all clinicians who will complete, interpret or use the updated PEWS chart in an inpatient setting. It does not require pre-existing knowledge or understanding of the updated PEWS chart.

The elearning session comprises the following sections, which reflect the organisation of the PEWS chart:

• top of the chart
• parent and/or carer question
• airway and breathing, circulation
• disability and exposure
• clinical intuition
• escalation process and signature
• ISBAR and comment box

Access the PEWS elearning session

A learning resource for reception staff, composed of training resources and a workbook, has been developed by HEE in collaboration with Hartlepool and Stockton Health, as an introduction for reception staff to address the deteriorating patient.

Receptionists are commonly the first point of contact for people with acute health needs. This training helps receptionists recognise specific symptoms that may indicate a deteriorating patient, and how they would consider escalating this to a clinician within their service or practice. It particularly focuses on to the symptoms of chest pain, stroke, sudden breathlessness and sepsis.