Algorithm-directed triage of pediatric patients. A prospective study.
An Army corpsman used physician-written triage algorithms to rate the urgency of the chief complaints of 2,000 pediatric outpatients. His ratings agreed with subsequent ratings by physicians in 84% of cases. The corpsman assigned a higher care urgency classification in 15% of cases and a lower classification in only 1.2% of cases. No danger to patients resulted from the algorithm-directed screening. Use of a "nonprofessional" as a triage agent spares the pediatrician, pediatric nurse practitioner, and nurse for providing health care. With increasing use of acute care facilities by patients without appointments, physician-written algorithms allow triage agents who lack formal medical training to determine safely the need for care of patients.
D000488:Allied Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D003657:Decision Making; D004194:Disease / Q000145:classification; D004630:Emergencies; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000592:standards*; D006746:Hospital Bed Capacity, 500 and over; D006772:Hospitals, Military; D006801:Humans; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010372:Pediatrics; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013781:Texas; D014218:Triage / Q000592:standards*