Computerized algorithm-directed triage in the emergency department.
A retrospective audit was conducted evaluating the effectiveness of the computerized algorithm-directed triage at Brooke Army Medical Center. A total of 98,086 charts were reviewed. From this, 58,282 patients were given dispositions to our acute care clinic and the remainder to the emergency department. Of these, 733 patients (1.2%) were retriaged from the acute care clinic to the ED. Based on these data, we conclude that the computerized algorithm-directed triage, using minimally trained personnel, appears to be an effective system.
Berman
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DA
Department of Emergency Medicine, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas 78234-6200.
Coleridge
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ST
McMurry
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TA
D000465:Algorithms; D003199:Computer Systems; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006772:Hospitals, Military; D007902:Length of Stay; D008330:Management Audit; D010343:Patient Admission; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014218:Triage / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States