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Why are physiological scoring systems or early warning scoring systems used in clinical practice?

  • They help the nursing staff to accurately predict patient dependency on a shift by shift basis.

  • The system provides an early accurate predictor of deterioration by identifying physiological criteria that alert the nursing staff to a patient at risk.

  • These scoring systems are carried out as part of a national audit so we know how sick patients are in the United Kingdom.

  • They enable nurses to call for assistance from the outreach team or the doctors via an electronic communication system.