Improving Nurses' Knowledge of EWSS ( Early Warning System Score) in Relation With Level of Compliance

Abstract

Patient safety is a very important aspect of health care. One of the steps taken by hospitals to fulfil patient safety standards is the implementation of the Early Warning Score System (EWSS). EWSS is an early warning system that involves a series of information communication, starting with early detection and followed by appropriate decision making. Success in achieving service quality standards and patient safety is highly dependent on the role of nurse professionalism. In the implementation of EWSS, nurses' competence is required to measure, document, and provide appropriate team responses with interventions that must be implemented according to the algorithm, so that the scoring system can function optimally. This study aimed to analyse the relationship between nurses' knowledge of EWSS and the level of compliance with its implementation in the NICU room. The research method used a cross sectional approach with 34 respondents selected through total sampling technique. Data was collected using a questionnaire that included demographic data, 16 questions about EWSS knowledge, and 15 questions about EWSS implementation compliance. The results showed a relationship between nurses' knowledge and compliance with EWSS implementation. Rank Spearman statistical test resulted in p value < 0.001 and r = 0.659, indicating a significant and positive relationship between knowledge and EWSS implementation compliance.