Clinical Impact of Modified Early Warning System on Reducing Maternal Morbidity: A Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37287/ijghr.v8i4.1888Keywords:
efficacy, early detection, maternal morbidity, modified early obstetric warning systemAbstract
The globally high maternal morbidity rate necessitates obstetric-specific monitoring systems capable of detecting physiological deterioration earlier than general adult early warning tools. This narrative review analyzes empirical evidence regarding the clinical impact of the Modified Early Obstetric Warning System (MEOWS) in reducing maternal morbidity. A structured synthesis of fourteen primary studies retrieved from PubMed, ResearchGate, and Elsevier between 2015 and 2025 was conducted using the following keywords: ("maternal early warning system" OR "MEOWS") AND ("maternal morbidity" OR "clinical impact"). The search yielded a total of 112 articles. After removing duplicates and irrelevant titles, 62 articles were screened based on abstracts. Subsequently, 38 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, of which 14 studies met all criteria and were included in the final review. The review followed four stages: identification, screening, eligibility assessment, and data extraction. MEOWS demonstrates strong predictive efficacy, with sensitivity ranging from 72.9% to 96.9% and specificity from 62% to 99.9%, consistently outperforming general adult early warning systems. When integrated with standardized clinical pathways, MEOWS achieves a 100% negative predictive value and significantly reduces incidences of eclampsia, HELLP syndrome, and pulmonary edema. MEOWS is a reliable, cost-effective screening tool for early maternal morbidity risk detection. Its maximum clinical impact is realized when functioning as a trigger for standardized response protocols rather than as a passive monitoring tool. This review provides an evidence-based framework for policymakers and health facility managers to integrate physiological triggers with standardized response protocols, particularly in resource-limited settings.
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