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Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine

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Open Access 01-12-2009 | Review

Reliability and validity of triage systems in paediatric emergency care

Authors: Mirjam van Veen, Henriette A Moll

Published in: Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine | Issue 1/2009

Abstract

Background

Triage in paediatric emergency care is an important tool to prioritize seriously ill children. Triage can also be used to identify patients who do not need urgent care and who can safely wait. The aim of this review was to provide an overview of the literature on reliability and validity of current triage systems in paediatric emergency care

Methods

We performed a search in Pubmed and Cochrane on studies on reliability and validity of triage systems in children

Results

The Manchester Triage System (MTS), the Emergency Severity Index (ESI), the Paediatric Canadian Triage and Acuity Score (paedCTAS) and the Australasian Triage Scale (ATS) are common used triage systems and contain specific parts for children. The reliability of the MTS is good and reliability of the ESI is moderate to good. Reliability of the paedCTAS is moderate and is poor to moderate for the ATS.

The internal validity is moderate for the MTS and confirmed for the CTAS, but not studied for the most recent version of the ESI, which contains specific fever criteria for children.

Conclusion

The MTS and paedCTAS both seem valid to triage children in paediatric emergency care. Reliability of the MTS is good, moderate to good for the ESI and moderate for the paedCTAS. More studies are necessary to evaluate if one triage system is superior over other systems when applied in emergency care.

Available only for authorised users

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Title: Reliability and validity of triage systems in paediatric emergency care
Authors: Mirjam van Veen
Henriette A Moll
Publication date: 01-12-2009
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine / Issue 1/2009
Electronic ISSN: 1757-7241
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1757-7241-17-38

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Reliability and validity of triage systems in paediatric emergency care

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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