Emergency Medicine

Programme

 

The National Clinical Guideline for the Emergency Early Warning System (EMEWS) was launched in 2018.  This was in response to growing concern and evidence (HIQA, 2012) that undifferentiated and undiagnosed patients were deteriorating in overcrowded Emergency Departments (EDs) in the time between triage and waiting for clinician assessment. In October 2025, Bernard Gloster (HSE CEO) mandated the full implementation of EMEWS in all EDs nationally.  This was in part fulfilment of Retired Chief Justice Clarke’s recommendations (September, 2024) to protect patients from harm.  In consultation with ED nurses across the country, EMP is aware of issues in the day-to-day operationalisation of the EMEWS with the paper system.

The Emergency Medicine Programme (EMP) in collaboration with HSE Medical Device Equipment Management is advancing patient safety in Emergency Departments with the Digital Emergency Early Warning System (EMEWS). Following successful pilots at Mercy Hospital Cork and St. Vincent’s University Hospital Dublin in 2025, early feedback shows the Digital EMEWS) system improves timely observations, supports clinical escalation, reduces nurse workload and enhances collaboration between ED staff. Moving from paper to digital is expected to reduce errors, support audits and generate long-term cost savings. A national rollout is being considered, with the next steps including review of pilot reports, funding decisions and phased implementation across EDs.