Early warning scores and trigger recommendations must be used with care in older home nursing care patients: Results from an observational study.

In all, 135 older patients participated. Median MEWS (n = 444) was 1 (interquartile range (IQR) 1-2). Frequently deviating vital signs were respiratory (88.8%) and heart rate (15.3%). Median habitual MEWS (n = 51) was 1 (IQR 0-1). Deviating vital signs were respiratory (72.5%) and heart rate (19.6%). A significant difference between habitual MEWS and MEWS recorded in cases of suspected functional decline was found (p = 0.002). MEWS' trigger recommendations were adhered to in 68.9% of all MEWS measurements.