How accurately do we estimate patients' weight in emergency departments?
OBJECTIVE
To assess the accuracy of estimates of patients' weight made by physicians, nurses, and patients themselves in emergency departments.


METHODS
Observational prospective study.


METHODS
Tertiary referral centre in Vancouver, BC.


METHODS
Eleven attending physicians, 26 nurses, and a convenience sample of 117 patients.


METHODS
Patients themselves, attending physicians, and nurses independently estimated the weight of 117 patients. An investigator weighed each patient.


METHODS
Mean error was determined by subtracting actual weight from estimated weight and dividing by actual weight; 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.


RESULTS
Mean error in estimates was 3.1% (95% CI 2.7 to 3.5) for patients, 8.4% for nurses (CI 7.6 to 9.2), and 8.1% (CI 7.1 to 9.1) for physicians. Weight was estimated within 5% of actual weight by 32% of nurses, 39% of physicians, and 82% of patients. Weight was estimated within 10% of actual weight by 66% of nurses, 66% of physicians, and 97% of patients. Estimates out by more than 15% were made by 11% of nurses, 16% of physicians, and 1% of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Patient estimates were most accurate. Physician and nurse estimates were unreliable.
Fernandes
C M
CM
Department of Emergency Medicine, St Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, BC. cfernand@unixg.ubc.ca
Clark
S
S
Price
A
A
Innes
G
G
D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results