An interrater reliability study on the Gothenburg obstetric triage system- a new obstetric triage system

Abstract Background Triage, identifying patients with critical and time-sensitive disorders, is an integrated process in general emergency medicine. Obstetric triage more specialised, requiring assessment of both woman, fetus labour status. Failure to identify severely ill obstetric has repeatedly led maternal morbidity mortality. Reliable systems, adapted as well local conditions, are thus essential. The study aims assess the interrater reliability (IRR) Gothenburg Triage System (GOTS). Methods Midwives ( n = 6) registered nurses no experience managing 7), assessed 30 paper cases based on actual real-life cases, using GOTS. Furthermore, a reference group consisting two midwives obstetricians, extensive care, determined correct level order enable analysis over- undertriage. IRR was assessed, percentage absolute agreement intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results A total 388 assessments were performed, comprising all five levels acuity Absolute found 69.6% assessments. overall good, Kappa value 0.78 (0.69–0.87, CI) for final level. Comparison established that undertriage had occurred 9% 21% respectively. main reasons “not acknowledging abnormal vital sign parameters” “limitations design”. Conclusion GOTS reliable tool triaging patients. It enables standardized unrelated assessors’ assessing applicable presenting care at or units.