Bay of Plenty hospitals start testing improvements to paediatric early warning system

On 14 February 2022, staff from Tauranga and Whakātane hospitals started testing the new paediatric early warning system.   

The initiative is the latest in the Health Quality & Safety Commission’s work programme to implement nationally standardised systems for recognising and responding to acute deterioration in patients throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. The Commission has been working with hospitals in three district health board areas since September 2021 on this. The testing is focusing on understanding the sites’ current state and identifying a consistent approach to the clinical, local measurement and governance components of the system in place. 

We congratulate the Bay of Plenty project teams for their commitment and efforts to prepare for the system testing. It will help to shape a nationally consistent approach for the safe care and management for tamariki who become more unwell while in hospital. 

The two Bay of Plenty hospitals join Starship Hospital, which continues to test the system in two of its wards. Nelson and Wairau hospitals will be starting their testing shortly.   

The experiences of those involved in testing will help us refine the paediatric early warning system tools and guidance, including national paediatric vital signs charts, before wider rollout in other hospitals.