For emergency departments (ED) or emergency medical services (EMS), among others, the early identification of patients at risk of clinical deterioration, and life-threatening pathologies is critical. ED must confront time-dependent decisions under limited information, and sometimes with limited resources. In the present day, these critical situations are more achievable due to the development of biomarkers and early warning scores (EWS), which are a reality in several scenarios of healthcare. Both have shown their utility to determine the clinical impairment of patients. The implementation of such aids has improved patients’ management and outcomes. EWS typically includes clinical parameters that combined result in a numeric value that stratifies patients into risk categories. Recently, the inclusion of analytical biomarkers to those has boosted the life-saving potential of EWS.
Despite all the benefits of EWS, in real-world situations, ED and EMS encounter different types of pathologies, or limited information, among other factors, that stagnate its use. In such situations, ED and EMS professionals must select the appropriate score from an extensive array of those available to achieve an accurate patient assessment, which could create a disparity of criteria among professionals. Additionally, it could be possible that a suitable EWS is not available or has not been developed. Further to this, EWS can have a considerable impact in saving lives during situations such as disasters, when healthcare professionals, who are usually far outnumbered, have to triage very quickly and decide which patients to prioritize. The results that professionals must require from EWS could be numerous, including the outcomes assessment, but also, patients in need of life-saving interventions, and identification of pathologies, among others.
Considering these points, this Research Topic seeks to shed light on the vast amount of EWS and biomarkers literature. Original manuscripts that compare between EWS or biomarkers already established, develop new EWS or biomarkers, describe uses of already developed biomarkers, or combine already known EWS or biomarkers for previous or new uses are welcome. Additionally, meta-analysis and literature reviews that establish a common criterion for particular situations are of interest to this collection.
The following themes are welcomed into this collection, but not limited to:
- Development of score/biomarkers for early identification of patients at risk of clinical deterioration;
- Development of score/biomarkers for early identification of patients at risk of life-threatening pathologies;
- Development of score/biomarkers for early identification of patients requiring life-threatening procedures;
- Real-world studies dealing with early warning scores/biomarkers application;
- Meta-analysis and literature reviews dealing with early warning scores/biomarkers application.
For emergency departments (ED) or emergency medical services (EMS), among others, the early identification of patients at risk of clinical deterioration, and life-threatening pathologies is critical. ED must confront time-dependent decisions under limited information, and sometimes with limited resources. In the present day, these critical situations are more achievable due to the development of biomarkers and early warning scores (EWS), which are a reality in several scenarios of healthcare. Both have shown their utility to determine the clinical impairment of patients. The implementation of such aids has improved patients’ management and outcomes. EWS typically includes clinical parameters that combined result in a numeric value that stratifies patients into risk categories. Recently, the inclusion of analytical biomarkers to those has boosted the life-saving potential of EWS.
Despite all the benefits of EWS, in real-world situations, ED and EMS encounter different types of pathologies, or limited information, among other factors, that stagnate its use. In such situations, ED and EMS professionals must select the appropriate score from an extensive array of those available to achieve an accurate patient assessment, which could create a disparity of criteria among professionals. Additionally, it could be possible that a suitable EWS is not available or has not been developed. Further to this, EWS can have a considerable impact in saving lives during situations such as disasters, when healthcare professionals, who are usually far outnumbered, have to triage very quickly and decide which patients to prioritize. The results that professionals must require from EWS could be numerous, including the outcomes assessment, but also, patients in need of life-saving interventions, and identification of pathologies, among others.
Considering these points, this Research Topic seeks to shed light on the vast amount of EWS and biomarkers literature. Original manuscripts that compare between EWS or biomarkers already established, develop new EWS or biomarkers, describe uses of already developed biomarkers, or combine already known EWS or biomarkers for previous or new uses are welcome. Additionally, meta-analysis and literature reviews that establish a common criterion for particular situations are of interest to this collection.
The following themes are welcomed into this collection, but not limited to:
- Development of score/biomarkers for early identification of patients at risk of clinical deterioration;
- Development of score/biomarkers for early identification of patients at risk of life-threatening pathologies;
- Development of score/biomarkers for early identification of patients requiring life-threatening procedures;
- Real-world studies dealing with early warning scores/biomarkers application;
- Meta-analysis and literature reviews dealing with early warning scores/biomarkers application.
