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Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine

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Open Access 01-12-2011 | Original research

The validity of the canadian triage and acuity scale in predicting resource utilization and the need for immediate life-saving interventions in elderly emergency department patients

Authors: Ju Young Lee, Sang Hoon Oh, Eun Hee Peck, Jung Min Lee, Kyu Nam Park, Soo Hyun Kim, Chun Song Youn

Published in: Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine | Issue 1/2011

Abstract

Background

We evaluated the validity of the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) in elderly emergency department (ED) patients. In particular, we examined the sensitivity and specificity of the CTAS for identifying elderly patients who received an immediate life-saving intervention in the ED.

Methods

We reviewed the medical records of consecutive patients who were 65 years of age or older and presented to a single academic ED within a three-month period. The CTAS triage scores were compared to actual patient course, including disposition, discharge outcome and resource utilization. We calculated the sensitivity and specificity of the CTAS triage for identifying patients who received an immediate intervention.

Results

Of the 1903 consecutive patients who were ≥ 65 years of age, 113 (5.9%) had a CTAS level of 1, 174 (9.1%) had a CTAS level of 2, 1154 (60.6%) had a CTAS level of 3, 347 (18.2%) had a CTAS level of 4, and 115 (6.0%) had a CTAS level of 5. As a patient's triage score increased, the severity (such as mortality and intensive care unit admission) and resource utilization increased significantly. Ninety-four of the patients received a life-saving intervention within an hour following their arrival to the ED. The CTAS scores for these patients were 1, 2 and 3 for 46, 46 and 2 patients, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of a CTAS score of ≤ 2 for identifying patients for receiving an immediate intervention were 97.9% and 89.2%, respectively.

Conclusions

The CTAS is a triage tool with high validity for elderly patients, and it is an especially useful tool for categorizing severity and for recognizing elderly patients who require immediate life-saving intervention.

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Title: The validity of the canadian triage and acuity scale in predicting resource utilization and the need for immediate life-saving interventions in elderly emergency department patients
Authors: Ju Young Lee
Sang Hoon Oh
Eun Hee Peck
Jung Min Lee
Kyu Nam Park
Soo Hyun Kim
Chun Song Youn
Publication date: 01-12-2011
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine / Issue 1/2011
Electronic ISSN: 1757-7241
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1757-7241-19-68

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

The validity of the canadian triage and acuity scale in predicting resource utilization and the need for immediate life-saving interventions in elderly emergency department patients

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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