Effect of the National Early Warning Score Education Program on Nurses’ Knowledge at an Emergency Hospital

Abstract

Aims and Objectives: To determine the effect of a designed program about the National Early Warning
Score on nurses’ knowledge at an emergency hospital. Background: The Early Warning Score has been
developed as a tool for early detection of patients’ deterioration. However, its implementation has not been
optimal due to the lack of knowledge and understanding of EWS among staff nurses. Design: Pre-test/posttest
quasi-experimental research design. Methods: A convenient sample of 34 nursing staff working at the
inpatient unit at an emergency hospital was included in the education program. Results: The current findings
revealed that all nurses (100 %) (34) had an unsatisfactory knowledge level pre-educational program. While
nurses’ knowledge level post-educational program showed, most of them (97.1 %) (33) had a satisfactory
knowledge level. And there was a highly significant statistical difference between pre-test and post-test
of knowledge (p <0.001). Moreover, nearly half of the nurses (50.2 %) answered knowledge questions
incorrectly pre-educational program, while post-educational program, the majority of them (91.6%) answered
knowledge questions correctly. Conclusion: After implementing an educational program regarding National
Early Warning Score, The emergency care nurses’ knowledge was markedly improved.