Who needs to take action?
This HSE National Patient Safety Alert (NPSA) is for action by all Hospital Group and Hospital CEOs, Directors/ Leads of Quality, Patient Safety & Risk Managers, Heads of Servicefor Quality & Safety Service Improvement, General Managers, Clinical Directors, Directors of Nursing, Chairs Deteriorating Patients Committee / PEWS Committee
What is the issue?
PEWS observation charts and training material currently in use are in need of an urgent update to reflect the recent HSE Sepsis Programme guidance for children and young people. The current PEWS charts may not guide the clinical staff to a diagnosis of sepsis. A HSE PEWS governance group have reviewed the following documents and have made the following interim changes to align with new Sepsis Guidance for Children.
- Patient observation charts to include updated Sepsis Banner
- PEWS guidance and training presentations
- Information for PEWS leads and trainers
What action is required?
- Disseminate this HSE National Patient Safety Alert to all staff caring for children in your organisation
- Remove existing printed versions of all Paediatric observation charts
- Replace existing charts with updated (2023) versions, available at PEWS webpage and also see attached (Types A and B)
- Type A is for use in sites/services where there is a Paediatric Medicine Team available 24/7
- Type B is for use in sites/services where a Paediatric Medicine Team is not available 24/7
- Revise any local training to reflect updated national guidance. The PEWS material previously available online has been adjusted to reflect these changes and can be accessed here: PEWS webpage
- Complete three monthly audits following completion of actions 2 & 3 (above) to provide assurance that no old versions of the charts are in circulation
When does the action need to be completed by?
Allowing time for printing and updating of the Paediatric Observation Charts and training material, actions 1-4 should be completed by July 31st 2023