Application of emergency severity index in pediatric emergency department

doi:10.5847/wjem.j.1920-8642.2011.04.006

Abstract

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: The purpose of triage is to identify patients needing immediate resuscitation, to assign patients to a pre-designed patient care area, and to initiate diagnostic/therapeutic measures as appropriate. This study aimed to use emergency severity index (ESI) in a pediatric emergency room.
METHODS: From July 2006 to August 2010, a total of 21 904 patients visited the International Department of Beijing Children's Hospital. The ESI was measured by nurses and physicians, and compared using SPSS.
RESULTS: Nurses of the hospital took approximately 2 minutes for triage. The results of triage made by nurses were similar to those made by doctors for ESI in levels 1-3 patients. This finding indicated that the nurses are able to identify severe pediatric cases.
CONCLUSION: In pediatric emergency rooms, ESI is a suitable tool for identifying severe cases and then immediate interventions can be performed accordingly.

Key words: Pediatrics, Emergency Department, Triage, Emergency severity index

Lei Wang, Hong Zhou, Jing-fang Zhu. Application of emergency severity index in pediatric emergency department[J]. World Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2011, 2(4): 279-282.

Figures/Tables 5

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Sex	<1 yr	1-3 yr	4-6 yr	7-12 yr	>12 yr	Total
Male	1 293	5 152	4 732	982	112	12 271
Female	898	4 047	3 811	770	107	9 633
Total	2 191	9 199	8 543	1 752	219	21 904

ESI level	By nurse (%)	By doctor (%)
1	31 (0.14)	31 (0.14)
2	174 (0.79)	180 (0.82)
3	2 191 (10.01)	2 298 (10.49)
4	18 076 (82.52)	17 732 (80.96)
5	1 432 (6.54)	1 663 (7.59)
Total	21 904 (100)	21 904 (100)

ESI level	Mis-triaged children	Rate (%)
1	0	0.00
2	6	0.03
3	107	0.49
4	344	1.60
5	231	1.06

ESI level	Total number	Admission rate (% )
1	31	29 (93.55)
2	180	142 (78.89)
3	2 298	235 (10.23)
4	17 732	232 (1.31)
5	1 663	0 (0)
Total	21 904	638 (2.91)

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