NEWS classroom resources

This toolkit contains resources to deliver the COMPASS Education Programme which incorporates the National Early Warning Score.

The Programme Equipment List

The COMPASS Education Programme

The COMPASS Education programme has three phases:

1. The education manual and CD must be worked through independently.

2. The paper based Quiz must be completed.

3. A mandatory face to face session must be attended. 

COMPASS Training Manual

The training manual is in A4 format with information on physiology, communication, team work, management plans etc and incorporates the National Early Warning Score. The forth edition of the training manual is now available and contains the updated chapter on Sepsis.

Interactive CD

The interactive CD takes participants through a case of a deteriorating patient and explains changes in vital signs for that patient.  There is a voice-over on the CD.  Your computer needs to be equipped to accommodate this, however, the voice-over is not essential to work through the CD.  You will need flash media player software on your machine to get the full benefit.

The last slide of the CD advises you to go online and complete a quiz.  This is a paper based quiz and is included in your manual.  You must complete this quiz and send it to your course co-ordinators no later than 2 days prior to your face to face education programme.

Amendments to the Compass CD for measurements as follows:

Blood Measurements: Hb 120 g/l = 12.0 g/dl, HB 60 g/l = 6.0 g/dl, PO2 159 mm Hg = 21 k Pa, PCO2 40 mmHg = 5.3 kPa.

Quiz Questions

The paper quiz requires you to answer 10 questions.  This completed quiz should be returned to the course co-ordinator in advance of attending the COMPASS face to face education session.

Face to Face Education Session Materials

The following materials are provided for use at the face to face sessions:

Patient Observation Chart incorporating the ViEWS parameters

This is a sample chart and is designed to fit into existing patient records held locally. The scoring parameters must be strictly adhered to.  The escalation protocol may require some minor adjustments for individual sites.  Acute sites may design their own patient observation charts based on their individual needs if necessary.  The patient observation chart has been updated to incorporate a Sepsis Screening Pathway agreed by the National Sepsis Steering Group.

Sepsis Screening Form

A Sepsis Screening Form is available for sepsis screening of individual patients, where appropriate.  Following the screening process, this document must be filed in the patient’s notes and may be used for auditing purposes.

ISBAR Communication Tool

Identify, Situation, Background, Assessment, Background (ISBAR)

This tool is used to assist staff in providing focused communication to other healthcare professionals when communicating information.  The ISBAR chart can be placed beside the telephone in each hospital ward area with this process.