Undertriage of patients requiring direct admission to intensive care from the emergency department for medical conditions: impact on prognosis and associated factors. / Infratriaje en urgencias de pacientes que precisan ingreso directo en cuidados intensivos por enfermedades médicas: impacto en el pronóstico y factores asociados.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether undertriage affects the outcome for patients requiring direct admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) from the emergency department due to a medical condition. To identify factors associated with undertriage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective review of patients treated in 2018 for medical emergencies requiring direct admission to the ICU from the emergency department. The cases were classified in 2 groups according to the assigned triage level. Underestimation was defined as a triage level of III or more. Independent variables were demographic and epidemiologic data and indicators of severity recorded in the emergency department. The main outcome was 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, prolonged ICU stay, and prolonged hospital stay. RESULTS: We included 470 patients with a median age of 68 years (first-third quartile range, 57-78 years); 61.1% were men, and 151 (32.1%) were undertriaged. Factors directly related to undertriage according to odds ratios (ORs) were age (OR = 1.017; 95% CI, 1.003-1.032), Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score of 0 or 1 (OR = 1.761; 95% CI, 1.038-2.988), ratio of oxygen saturation to fraction of inspired oxygen greater than 300 (OR = 2.447; 95% CI, 1.418-4.223), a diagnosis of infection (OR = 5.003, 95% CI 2.727-9.188) whether respiratory (OR = 3.993, 95% CI 1.919-8.310) or other (OR = 1.980, 95% CI, 1.036-3.785) versus a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease. Factors inversely related to undertriage were admission during the afternoon (OR = 0.512, 95% CI, 0.306-0.856) and ambulance transfer (OR = 0.373; 95% CI, 0.232-0.600). Ninety patients (19.1%) died within 30 days. Undertriage was not related to 30-day mortality or the other outcomes analyzed. CONCLUSION: Undertriage was not associated with a worse outcome in patients requiring direct admission to the ICU for a medical emergency. The factors we found to be associated with undertriage, such as patient age and time of day admitted, merit special attention given that these factors should not be affecting the triage process.

RESUMEN

OBJETIVO: Determinar si el infratriaje tiene impacto pronóstico en pacientes que requieren ingreso desde urgencias en cuidados intensivos por enfermedad médica e identificar factores asociados. METODO: Revisión retrospectiva de pacientes atendidos durante 2018 por enfermedades médicas con ingreso directo en cuidados intensivos desde urgencias. Se clasificaron en dos grupos en función del nivel de triaje asignado y se consideró infratriaje un nivel de triaje III. Las variables independientes incluyeron datos demográficos, epidemiológicos e indicadores de gravedad en urgencias. Se registró la mortalidad a los 30 días (objetivo primario), así como la mortalidad hospitalaria, el ingreso prolongado en cuidados intensivos o el ingreso prolongado hospitalario (objetivos secundarios). RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 470 pacientes [edad 68 años (rango 57-78), 61,1% hombres] de los que 151 (32,1%) formaban el grupo con infratriaje. Los factores relacionados con el infratriaje fueron la edad (OR = 1,017; IC 95% 1,003- 1,032), indicador qSOFA 0-1 (OR = 1,761; IC 95% 1,038-2,988), índice SpO2/FiO2 > 300 (OR = 2,447; IC 95% 1,418- 4,223) y el diagnóstico de infección (OR = 5,003; IC 95% 2,727-9,188), respiratorio (OR = 3,993; IC 95% 1,919-8,310) u otro (OR = 1,980; IC 95% 1,036-3,785) respecto al diagnóstico cardiovascular, mientras que la admisión en horario de tarde (OR = 0,512; IC 95% 0,306-0,856) o el traslado en ambulancia (OR = 0,373; IC 95% 0,232- 0,600) se relacionaron de forma inversa con el infratriaje. El evento mortalidad a 30 días tuvo lugar en 90 pacientes (19,1%). El infratriaje no se relacionó con la mortalidad a 30 días ni con el resto de los objetivos analizados. CONCLUSIONES: El infratriaje no se relacionó con un peor pronóstico en pacientes con ingreso directo en intensivos por enfermedad médica. Se han identificado factores relacionados con el infratriaje, como la edad o el horario de admisión que merecen una atención especial, ya que no deberían afectar el proceso de triaje.