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PubMed · 7359734

Algorithm-directed triage of pediatric patients. A prospective study.

F P Wilson·L O Wilson·A B Butler·L Canales
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Abstract

An Army corpsman used physician-written triage algorithms to rate the urgency of the chief complaints of 2,000 pediatric outpatients. His ratings agreed with subsequent ratings by physicians in 84% of cases. The corpsman assigned a higher care urgency classification in 15% of cases and a lower classification in only 1.2% of cases. No danger to patients resulted from the algorithm-directed screening. Use of a "nonprofessional" as a triage agent spares the pediatrician, pediatric nurse practitioner, and nurse for providing health care. With increasing use of acute care facilities by patients without appointments, physician-written algorithms allow triage agents who lack formal medical training to determine safely the need for care of patients.

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Allied Health PersonnelAppointments and SchedulesDecision MakingDiseaseEmergenciesEmergency Medical ServicesHospital Bed Capacity, 500 and overHospitals, MilitaryHumansOutpatient Clinics, HospitalPediatricsProspective StudiesTexasTriageJournal Article

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F P Wilson, L O Wilson, A B Butler, L Canales. 1980-04-18. Algorithm-directed triage of pediatric patients. A prospective study.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7359734/

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PubMed2006

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