title: Critical appraisal of papers describing triage systems.
abstract: This article seeks to provide readers with a framework to enable them to assess the quality of the published description or evaluation of a triage system. Similarities between the triage process and the process of diagnosis and the nature of clinical decision rules are noted. Criteria that triage evaluations should meet are recommended, based on methodology suggested from evidence-based medicine, the development of clinical decision rules, and evaluation of diagnostic tests.
authors.affiliation: General Infirmary at Leeeds, England. rhardern@ulth.northy.hs.uk
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Hardern
mesh_terms: D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014218:Triage / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards