PEWS
Medical abbreviation · Patient Assessment
| Stands for | Pediatric Early Warning Score |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
PEWS stands for Pediatric Early Warning Score, a patient assessment abbreviation.
Scoring system that tracks behavior, cardiovascular status and respiratory status in hospitalized children to identify those deteriorating and needing escalation. Many children's hospitals use their own validated versions.
Example: PEWS increased from 2 to 5; charge nurse and resident at bedside.
Usage notes
The first widely cited version was published by Alan Monaghan at a UK children's hospital in 2005. Age-specific vital sign ranges make pediatric scoring more complex than adult scores. Parental concern is included as a trigger in many escalation protocols.
Related abbreviations
More patient assessment abbreviations
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- NT/ND – Nontender, nondistended
- NVI – Neurovascularly intact
- OPQRST – Onset, provocation, quality, region/radiation, severity, time
- P – Pulse
- PAINAD – Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia
- POSS – Pasero Opioid-Induced Sedation Scale
- PP – Pulse pressure
- PWD – Pink, warm and dry
- RA – Room air
- RASS – Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale
- RLE – Right lower extremity
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This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.