The impact of Early Warning Score and Rapid Response Systems on nurses’ competence: An integrative literature review and synthesis

Aims and objectives To describe, interpret and synthesise the current research findings on the impact of the Early Warning Score and Rapid Response Systems on nurses’ competence in identifying and managing deteriorating patients in general hospital wards. Background As patient safety initiatives designed to ensure the early identification and management of deteriorating patients, the Early Warning Score and Rapid Response Systems have broad appeal. However, it is still unclear how these systems impact nurses’ competence when these systems are used in general hospital wards. Methods CINAHL, PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE and Ovid MEDLINE databases were systematically searched for relevant articles. Articles were appraised, a thematic analysis was conducted, and similar and divergent perspectives on emergent themes and subthemes were extracted by a team of researchers. Results Thirty‐six studies met the inclusion criteria. The analysis of findings showed how the Early Warning Score and Rapid Response Systems impacted three competence areas: (i) Nurses’ competence in assessing and caring for patients related to the subthemes: (a) sensing clinical deterioration and (b) the development of skills and knowledge. (ii). Nurses’ competence in referring patients, related to the subthemes: (a) deciding whether to summon help and (b) the language and communication lines in the referral process. (ii) Nurses’ coping and mastery experiences. Conclusion The impact of the Early Warning Score and Rapid Response Systems on nurses’ competence in identifying and managing deteriorating patients is beneficial but also somewhat contradictory. Relevance to clinical practice A greater understanding of nurses’ development of competence when using the Early Warning Score and Rapid Response Systems will facilitate the design of implementation strategies and the use of these systems to improve practice.