Adequacy of pediatric triage

Abstract

Objective: To assess the adequacy of the pediatric triage system in an acute care general hospital.

Methods: All children younger than 14 years of age who presented with a primary medical condition to the accident and emergency department (ED) during January to March 2009 were recruited. Suitability of the triage system was assessed according to the vital parameters taken and the priority code assigned. Triage workload was assessed from the number of children presenting to ED and the timing of presentation.

Results: Of 2269 children presenting to ED, 1617 (71.3%) were younger than 5 years, and 883 (38.9%) were younger than 2 years. Only 0.26% (6/2269) had four vital parameters crucial for priority assignment measured, and 19.3% (437/2269) had at least one parameter measured. A priority code was assigned to 10% (225/2269).

Conclusions: Our study revealed inadequacies in the pediatric triage system. A simple and objective triage system that is based on the measurement of crucial vital parameters and on prompt recognition of warning signs and symptoms to correctly identify high-risk groups has been introduced to ensure appropriate and effective triage of sick children.