⚠️ NEWS2 Score (National Early Warning Score 2)
UseTrack-and-trigger monitoring of acutely ill adults (non-pregnant).
Strata0 routine; 1–4 low; 5–6 or any single 3 = medium urgency; ≥ 7 high — escalate per local track-and-trigger pol…
LimitsUse SpO₂ Scale 2 only for patients with documented hypercapnic respir… · Not validated as a stand-alone sepsis or obstetric early-warning tool. · Trends and clinical context matter more than a single snapshot.
SourceRoyal College of Physicians. NEWS2, 2017
This-shift next steps
After scoring: open the scene pack, peer scores, and the matching pathway. Local reference — no HIS write.
- Who it is for
- Adults with suspected infection when deciding whether to treat this hour as sepsis.
- Who it is not for
- Stable patients scored only to fill a number. Children do not follow adult bundle dosing.
- Formula and variables
- qSOFA is respiratory rate, systolic pressure, and mentation. NEWS2 is respiration, oxygenation, supplemental oxygen, blood pressure, pulse, consciousness, and temperature. SOFA is six organ systems. MEWS stays off the main door. Weights stay as on this page. qSOFA is not a diagnosis.
- Result → next step
- A positive screen only escalates assessment. Next page is the sepsis bundle. qSOFA alone must not switch on antibiotics. Antimicrobials stay at drug-class direction; the spectrum page may be opened. No numeric dose here.Sepsis bundle →
- Guideline
- SSC 2021
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Methodology · worked example, guidelines & full notes
A single parameter scoring 3 triggers urgent review.
When to use
Track-and-trigger monitoring of acutely ill adults (non-pregnant).
How it works
Aggregate points from respiratory rate, SpO₂ (scale 1), air/O₂, systolic BP, pulse, consciousness (ACVPU) and temperature. Bands: 0 routine, 1–4 low, 5–6 (or any single 3) medium, ≥ 7 high.
Key points
- A single parameter scoring 3 triggers urgent review.
- Use SpO₂ Scale 2 for target 88–92% (hypercapnic risk).
- Escalation thresholds follow local policy.
References
- [Guideline / primary source]Royal College of Physicians. NEWS2, 2017
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| Respiratory rate | 18 /min |
|---|---|
| SpO₂ (scale 1) | 97 % |
| On supplemental O₂ | No (air) |
| Systolic BP | 120 mmHg |
| Heart rate | 80 bpm |
| Temperature | 37.0 °C |
| Consciousness (ACVPU) | Alert |
→NEWS20
- Clinical response:Routine monitoring
- Note:Uses SpO₂ Scale 1; use Scale 2 for target 88–92% (hypercapnic risk).
| Respiratory rate | 18 /min |
|---|---|
| SpO₂ (scale 1) | 97 % |
| On supplemental O₂ | Yes |
| Systolic BP | 120 mmHg |
| Heart rate | 80 bpm |
| Temperature | 37.0 °C |
| Consciousness (ACVPU) | New confusion / V / P / U |
→NEWS25
- Clinical response:Medium — urgent review
- Note:Uses SpO₂ Scale 1; use Scale 2 for target 88–92% (hypercapnic risk).
Verification & sources · governance
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- Does NEWS2 Score (National Early Warning Score 2) upload patient data? Where is it calculated?
- Calculation runs locally in the browser; inputs and results are not uploaded. For licensed clinicians only; interpret with history, investigations and local protocols — not a diagnosis or prescription.
- How is NEWS2 Score (National Early Warning Score 2) calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
- Inputs: Respiratory rate 18 /min, SpO₂ (scale 1) 97 %, On supplemental O₂ No (air), Systolic BP 120 mmHg, Heart rate 80 bpm, Temperature 37.0 °C, Consciousness (ACVPU) Alert → Result: NEWS2 0(Clinical response: Routine monitoring, Note: Uses SpO₂ Scale 1; use Scale 2 for target 88–92% (hypercapnic risk).) Inputs: Respiratory rate 18 /min, SpO₂ (scale 1) 97 %, On supplemental O₂ Yes, Systolic BP 120 mmHg, Heart rate 80 bpm, Temperature 37.0 °C, Consciousness (ACVPU) New confusion / V / P / U → Result: NEWS2 5(Clinical response: Medium — urgent review, Note: Uses SpO₂ Scale 1; use Scale 2 for target 88–92% (hypercapnic risk).)