Application of emergency severity index in pediatric emergency department

BACKGROUND:

The purpose of triage is to identify patients needing immediate resuscitation, to assign patients to a pre-designed patient care area, and to initiate diagnostic/therapeutic measures as appropriate. This study aimed to use emergency severity index (ESI) in a pediatric emergency room.

METHODS:

From July 2006 to August 2010, a total of 21 904 patients visited the International Department of Beijing Children’s Hospital. The ESI was measured by nurses and physicians, and compared using SPSS.

RESULTS:

Nurses of the hospital took approximately 2 minutes for triage. The results of triage made by nurses were similar to those made by doctors for ESI in levels 1-3 patients. This finding indicated that the nurses are able to identify severe pediatric cases.

CONCLUSION:

In pediatric emergency rooms, ESI is a suitable tool for identifying severe cases and then immediate interventions can be performed accordingly.KEY WORDS: Pediatrics, Emergency Department, Triage, Emergency severity index