Early detection of intensive care needs and mortality risk by use of five early warning scores in patients with traumatic injuries: An observational study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research was to evaluate the predictive capacity of five Early Warning Scores in relation to the clinical evolution of adult patients with different types of trauma. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: We conducted a longitudinal, prospective, observational study, calculating the Early Warning Scores [Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS), National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS-2), VitalPAC Early Warning Score (ViEWS), Modified Rapid Emergency Medicine Score (MREMS), and Rapid Acute Physiology Score (RAPS)] upon arrival of patients to the emergency department. SETTING: In total, 445 cases of traumatic injuries were included in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The predictive capacity was verified with the data on admission to intensive care units (ICU) and mortality at two, seven and 30 days. RESULTS: 201 patients were hospitalized and 244 were discharged after being attended in the emergency department. 91 cases (20.4%) required ICU care and 4.7% of patients died (21 patients) within two days, 6.5% (29 patients) within seven days and 9.7% (43 patients) within 30 days. The highest area under the curve for predicting the need for ICU care was obtained by the National Early Warning Score 2 and the VitalPAC Early Warning Score. For predicting mortality, the Modified Rapid Emergency Medicine Score obtained the best scores for two-day mortality, seven-day mortality and 30-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Every Early Warning Score analyzed in this study obtained good results in predicting adverse effects in adult patients with traumatic injuries, creating an opportunity for new clinical applications in the emergency department.

[Ability to predict hospitalization and resource requirements: comparison of the 3M Triage Assistance system and the combined Spanish Triage System and Andorran Triage Model]. / Comparación de la capacidad de predecir hospitalización y consumo de recursos del Programa de Ayuda al Triaje 3M TAS y el Sistema Español de Triaje ­ Model Andorrà de Triaje (SET-MAT).

OBJECTIVES: To determine the validity of 2 triage systems: the 3M Triage Assistance System (3M-TAS) and the combined Spanish Triage System and Andorran Triage Model (SET-MAT) for predicting hospitalization and use of emergency resources; and to estimate the level of agreement between them. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective observational study of consecutive cohorts classified with the studied triage systems in the emergency department (ED) of a secondary-level hospital between March 24 and April 30, 2014. Patients were classified blindly and simultaneously between 9 AM and 10 PM by a clinical nurse using the SET-MAT program and a researcher nurse using the 3M-TAS software. We collected patients' demographic details and assigned triage level, laboratory and imaging tests ordered, specialist consultations requested in the ED, length of stay until discharge from the department, and destination on discharge. Outcome variables were hospitalization and use of at least 1 resource in the ED. RESULTS: A total of 3379 emergencies were included. The conventionally weighted κ statistic for agreement between the 2 triage systems was 0.26, but the triage-weighted κ was 0.17. The 3M-TAS software was better able to predict hospitalization than the SET-MAT (P<.001); however, the 2 systems, predictions of resource usage were similar (P=.111). CONCLUSION: Agreement between the 3M-TAS and SET-MAT triage systems was poor, although they predicted similar use of resources in the ED. The 3M-TAS was better able to predict hospital admission than the SET-MAT.

OBJETIVO: Determinar el grado de concordancia y validez, a la hora de predecir la hospitalización y el consumo de recursos en urgencias, del Sistema de Ayuda al Triaje 3M TAS y su comparación con el Sistema Español de Triaje - Model Andorrà de Triatge (SET-MAT). METODO: Estudio observacional de cohortes prospectivo que incluyó de forma consecutiva los episodios filiados de 9 a 22 horas en un servicio de urgencias de un hospital secundario entre el 24 de marzo y el 30 de abril de 2014. Los pacientes se clasificaron de forma enmascarada y simultánea por una enfermera asistencial mediante el programa de ayuda al triaje SET-MAT y por una enfermera de investigación mediante el 3M TAS. Se recogieron variables demográficas, de gravedad, las pruebas de laboratorio, radiológicas e interconsulta a especialistas realizadas en urgencias, el tiempo de estancia y el destino final. Las variables de resultado fueron la hospitalización y el consumo de al menos un recurso en urgencias. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 3.379 episodios. El índice de concordancia mediante el kappa ponderado cuadrático entre los sistemas de triaje fue de 0,26 y el kappa triaje de 0,17. El sistema 3M TAS presentó una mayor capacidad predictiva de hospitalización en comparación con el SET-MAT (p < 0,001), no siendo así en lo que respecta al consumo de recursos en urgencias (p = 0,111). CONCLUSIONES: La concordancia entre los sistemas de triaje 3M TAS y SET-MAT fue baja, sin diferencias para predecir el consumo de recursos en urgencias, aunque el 3M TAS predijo mejor ingreso hospitalario que el SET-MAT.

[Spanish nurses' survey on triage in hospital emergency departments]. / Encuesta a los profesionales de enfermería españoles sobre el triaje en los servicios de urgencias hospitalarios.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the opinions of Spanish nurses on hospital emergency department (ED) triage and to compare their level of satisfaction with different triage systems. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive survey-based study of the opinions of nurses working in Spanish EDs. The online questionnaire was self-administered by the respondents. Items covered demographic data, degrees of experience and training, level of satisfaction, and aspects related to triage in general and to the type of triage used in the respondent's hospital. RESULTS: Valid responses were received from 833 of the 857 nurses contacted (97.2% response rate); the nurses worked at 161 hospitals. Eighty hospitals (49.7%) used the Andorran Triage System adapted as the Spanish Triage System (ATM-STS) and 49 (30.4%) used the Manchester Triage System (MTS). The mean (SD) age of respondents was 38.5 (7.8) years; 652 (78.3%) of the respondents were women. Nurses were responsible for triage in 140 (87%) of the hospitals. Four hundred nurses (48.0%) believed triage is a full-team responsibility and 367 (44.0%) believed it was a nursing responsibility. Six hundred three (77.2%) had received specific training in triage. Seven hundred nine (85.1%) believed that triage always or almost always ensures better care for patients with the most serious emergencies, 681 (81.7%) believed that the triage nurse's opinion is taken into consideration, and 663 (79.6%) believed that patients are seen by a physician according to the assigned triage level. Nurses feel supported and generally respected by other nurses. Two hundred thirty (26.7%) would change the triage system they use, but only 100 (43.5%) could name a system they would switch to. CONCLUSION: Triage is performed by nurses in most of the hospitals, although nearly half of the respondents believe this responsibility should be shared with doctors. Nurses have a good opinion of triage and are generally satisfied with it, but there is variation according to the system implemented in their hospital.

OBJETIVO: Describir la opinión de los profesionales de enfermería españoles sobre aspectos relacionados con el sistema de triaje hospitalario y comparar el grado de satisfacción profesional en relación con dicho sistema. METODO: Estudio descriptivo de una serie de profesionales de enfermería procedentes de servicios de urgencias hospitalarios españoles mediante una encuesta de autocumplimentación a través de una página web que incluía aspectos demográficos, grado de experiencia y formación, grado de satisfacción y otros aspectos relacionados con el triaje en general y con el sistema de triaje implantado en su centro de trabajo. RESULTADOS: De 857 encuestas enviadas, fueron válidas 833 (97,2%) que provenían de 161 hospitales. Como sistemas de triaje, 80 (49,7%) tenían el SET-MAT y 49 (30,4%) el MTS. La edad de los encuestados fue de 38,5 (DE 7,8) años, y 652 (78,3%) eran mujeres. El triaje es realizado en 140 (87%) hospitales por enfermería. Cuatrocientos (48,0%) encuestados consideran que el triaje es una función conjunta y 367 (44,0%) específica de enfermería, 643 (77,2%) han realizado algún tipo de formación en triaje, 709 (85,1%) creen que el triaje garantiza siempre o casi siempre una mejor asistencia a los pacientes más urgentes, 681 (81,7%) opinan que el criterio del enfermero de triaje es tenido en cuenta, 663 (79,6%) piensan que los pacientes son atendidos por el médico según el nivel de urgencia asignado 230 (26,7%) cambiaría el sistema de triaje, pero sólo 100 (43,5%) conocen el sistema al que desean el cambio. Los profesionales de enfermería se sienten apoyados y respetados mayormente por el colectivo de enfermería. CONCLUSIONES: El triaje es realizado por enfermería en la mayoría de los centros aunque casi la mitad de los encuestados creen que debería ser un rol compartido con los médicos. La opinión y el grado de satisfacción de los profesionales de enfermería con el triaje hospitalario es buena aunque varía en función del sistema de triaje implantado.