Robert R Shawhan1, Derek P McVay1, Linda Casey1, Tara Spears1, Scott R Steele1, Matthew J Martin2. 1. Department of Surgery, Madigan Army Medical Center, 9040-A Fitzsimmons Drive, Tacoma, WA 98431, USA. 2. Department of Surgery, Madigan Army Medical Center, 9040-A Fitzsimmons Drive, Tacoma, WA 98431, USA; Department of Surgery, Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, Portland, OR, USA. Electronic address: matthew.j.martin16.mil@mail.mil.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Standard triage systems result in high rates of overtriage to achieve acceptably low undertriage. We previously validated optimal triage variables and used these to implement a new simplified triage system (NEW) at our hospital. METHODS: All trauma entries from May 2010 to Feb 2013 were prospectively reviewed. Calculation of the undertriage and overtriage rates was based on the need for any urgent or life-saving intervention. RESULTS: We identified 704 trauma patients. Level 1 activations were reduced from 32% (OLD) to 19% in the NEW system (P < .05). Overtriage was reduced from 79% (OLD) to 44% in the NEW system (P < .01). The undertriage rate was 1.6% in the NEW system, compared with 1.2% in the OLD system (P = nonsignificant). Of all patients, 14% (63) required a life-saving intervention. There were no deaths among undertriaged patients. CONCLUSION: The NEW simplified triage system significantly reduced the rate of overtriage, while safely maintaining a low undertriage rate. Published by Elsevier Inc.
BACKGROUND: Standard triage systems result in high rates of overtriage to achieve acceptably low undertriage. We previously validated optimal triage variables and used these to implement a new simplified triage system (NEW) at our hospital. METHODS: All trauma entries from May 2010 to Feb 2013 were prospectively reviewed. Calculation of the undertriage and overtriage rates was based on the need for any urgent or life-saving intervention. RESULTS: We identified 704 traumapatients. Level 1 activations were reduced from 32% (OLD) to 19% in the NEW system (P < .05). Overtriage was reduced from 79% (OLD) to 44% in the NEW system (P < .01). The undertriage rate was 1.6% in the NEW system, compared with 1.2% in the OLD system (P = nonsignificant). Of all patients, 14% (63) required a life-saving intervention. There were no deaths among undertriaged patients. CONCLUSION: The NEW simplified triage system significantly reduced the rate of overtriage, while safely maintaining a low undertriage rate. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Authors: Christian Waydhas; Markus Baake; Lars Becker; Boris Buck; Helena Düsing; Björn Heindl; Kai Oliver Jensen; Rolf Lefering; Carsten Mand; T Paffrath; Uwe Schweigkofler; Kai Sprengel; Heiko Trentzsch; Bernd Wohlrath; Dan Bieler Journal: World J Surg Date: 2018-09 Impact factor: 3.352
Authors: Joshua B Brown; E Brooke Lerner; Jason L Sperry; Timothy R Billiar; Andrew B Peitzman; Francis X Guyette Journal: J Trauma Acute Care Surg Date: 2016-09 Impact factor: 3.313