The impact of using presenting complaints on a modern 5-level triage system

Background: Five-level triage systems are being utilized in Danish emergency departments with and without the use of presenting complaints. The aim this study was to validate compare two 5-level used departments: “Danish Emergency Process Triage” (DEPT) based on vital signs complaints a locally adapted version DEPT (VITAL-TRIAGE) using only.
 Methods: This retrospective cohort five departments. All patients attending an department during period 1-4-2012 until 31-12-2015 were included. Validity triagesystems assessed by comparing urgency categories determined each triagesystem outcomes that resembles urgent hospitalization: 24-hour ICU admission, two-day mortality, critical illness, surgery within 48 hours, 4-hour discharge length stay.Results We included 632,196 analysis. Sensitivity for admission 0.79 (CI 0.78 : 0.80) 0.44 0.41 0.47) VITAL-TRIAGE. sensitivity mortality 0.69 0.67 0.70) 0.37 0.34 0.41) detect diagnoses illness 0.48 0.47 0.50) 0.09 0.08 0.10) predicting hours 0.30 0.31) 0.04 0.04) Length stay longer VITAL-TRIAGE than DEPT. predict discharged 4 0.91 0.92) while higher at 0.99 0.99). odds ratio increased high-urgency both compared low-urgency categories.
 Conclusion: High associated adverse outcomes. inclusion modern 5 level system led significantly measures ability related patient urgency.