28. Performance of triage systems in emergency care: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Performance of triage systems in emergency care: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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CEUs: 2 Clinical

Average read time: 45 minutes.

Short Summary of the Article:

The article provides a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis on the performance of different emergency care triage systems, specifically focusing on the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS), Emergency Severity Index (ESI), and Manchester Triage System (MTS). It evaluates these systems’ abilities to classify high- and low-urgency patients effectively, based on criteria such as mortality, ICU admission, and discharge rates. The findings suggest that although these triage systems perform moderately well, their accuracy is highly variable, with factors like patient volume and casemix affecting outcomes. The article highlights the need for further research to improve triage systems and better understand the determinants that impact their performance.

Learning Outcomes 

Upon completion of this activity, you should have an understanding of:

1. The key differences in the performance of commonly used triage systems in emergency care.
2. How patient volume and casemix may influence the effectiveness of triage systems in prioritizing patients.
3. The importance of accurately identifying high-urgency patients to prevent delays in diagnosis and treatment in emergency departments.

(Max of 3 Attempts)