Complementing Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) with nursing guide application improves early postoperative outcomes

Editor's Note

Following up with a nursing guide in addition to the the modified early warning score (MEWS) helps reduce early postoperative complications, according to the results of a recent clinical trial. Nursing guide application in patients followed up according to MEWS also decreased ISCU admission, decreased MEWS and increased the number of nursing interventions. Results appeared February 1 in The Journal of Perianesthesia Nursing.

The study sample consisted of 252 patients who underwent surgical intervention under general anesthesia in a university hospital between July 29, 2022, and October 31, 2022.  Highlights include:

• The study group experienced fewer complications than the control group during anesthesia, in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), and in the clinic.
• The control group spent significantly less time in the PACU, and MEWS increased as duration of stay in the PACU decreased.
• Fewer control group patients required transfer to intensive care after PACU.
• MEWS was lower in control group patients after PACU, and the number of applied nursing interventions was higher.

“Based on the results, it may be recommended to use MEWS+NGA in the early postoperative period as it positively affects patient outcomes,” the researchers conclude.