Computerized triage of pediatric patients: automated triage algorithms.
Pediatric triage algorithms which were prospectively and retrospectively validated in a pediatric acute care facility serve as the basis for the development of a simplified pediatric triage checklist. This checklist is used by minimally trained nonprofessionals to assign safely the care urgency categories of the chief complaints of pediatric "walk-in" patients. This article describes the background of the pediatric triage checklist and its adaptation to a computerized triage system. This system not only allows for safe triage, but also creates a mechanism for rapid, organized retrieval of data from individual and group patient triage encounters that is useful for the study and planning of health care delivery.
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003201:Computers; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006753:Hospital Records; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010372:Pediatrics; D014218:Triage / Q000458:organization & administration*