mews_score: Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS)

In cliot: Clinical Indices and Outcomes Tools

Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS)

Description

Calculates the Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS), a bedside scoring system used to identify patients at risk of catastrophic clinical deterioration (e.g., cardiac arrest, ICU admission). The score evaluates five physiological parameters: Systolic Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, Respiratory Rate, Temperature, and Level of Consciousness (AVPU).

Usage

mews_score(systolic_bp, heart_rate, respiratory_rate, temp_c, avpu_score)

Arguments

systolic_bp	Numeric. Systolic blood pressure in mmHg.
heart_rate	Numeric. Heart rate in beats per minute.
respiratory_rate	Numeric. Respiratory rate in breaths per minute.
temp_c	Numeric. Body temperature in degrees Celsius.
avpu_score	String. Level of consciousness. Options: "alert": Alert (0 points). "verbal": Responds to Voice / New Confusion (1 point). "pain": Responds to Pain (2 points). "unresponsive": Unresponsive (3 points).

Value

A list containing:

MEWS_Score	The calculated total score (Range 0-14).
Risk_Level	Classification (Low, Medium, High).
Action	Suggested clinical response based on the score threshold.

References

Subbe CP, Kruger M, Rutherford P, Gemmel L. Validation of a modified Early Warning Score in medical admissions. QJM. 2001;94(10):521-526. doi:10.1093/qjmed/94.10.521

Examples

# Example 1: Stable Patient
# SBP 120, HR 70, RR 12, Temp 37, Alert
mews_score(120, 70, 12, 37.0, "alert")

# Example 2: Critical Patient (High Risk)
# SBP 85 (+1), HR 115 (+2), RR 25 (+2), Temp 39 (+2), Verbal (+1)
# Score = 8
mews_score(85, 115, 25, 39.0, "verbal")

cliot documentation built on Dec. 1, 2025, 1:06 a.m.