Acute Medicine

MEWS (Modified Early Warning Score)

Older early-warning score (NEWS2 now preferred in the UK).

Education and reference only. Not a substitute for clinical judgement, local policy or product labelling. Always verify before clinical use. Values are calculated in your browser and never stored.

When to use

Use to flag clinical deterioration where MEWS is in local use. In the UK, NEWS2 is the recommended standard.

Why use

It quickly aggregates vital-sign derangement, though NEWS2 is now preferred.

Advice

A total ≥5 (or 3 in any single parameter) warrants urgent review. Prefer NEWS2 in NHS settings.

Evidence & references

  1. Subbe CP et al. Validation of a modified Early Warning Score in medical admissions. QJM. 2001.

Related calculators

NEWS2 (National Early Warning Score 2)Standardised UK early-warning score for acute illness.qSOFA ScoreQuick bedside flag for poor outcome in suspected infection.

Need a calculator we don't have — or a custom tool?

We build evidence-led clinical calculators, dashboards and reference tools for teams.

Request a Custom Tool ☎ +44 7448 439750
☎ Call Get a Proposal