[Validation of a triage scale: first step in patient admission and in emergency service models].
BACKGROUND
At present, most emergency services handle the multitude of various demands in the same unity of place and by the same team of nurses aides, with direct consequences on the waiting time and in the handling of problems of varying degrees of importance. Our service examines other administrative models based on a triage of time and of orientation.


RESULTS
In a prospective study on 679 patients, we have validated a triage tool inspired from the ICEM model (International Cooperation of Emergency Medicine) allowing patients to receive, while they wait, information and training, based on the resources provided, in order to deal with their particular medical problem.


CONCLUSIONS
The validation of this tool was carried out in terms of its utilization as well as its reliability. It appears that, with the type of triage offered, there is a theoretical reserve of waiting time for the patients in which the urgency is relative, and which could be better used in the handling of more vital cases.
Ecole de Santé Publique, Clos Chapelle-aux-Champs, 30 B. 1200 Bruxelles.
A
A
Legrand
F
F
Thys
E
E
Vermeiren
M
M
Touwaide
W
W
D'Hoore
V
V
Hubin
M S
MS
Reynaert
D000328:Adult; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016294:Models, Nursing; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D010343:Patient Admission; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014218:Triage / Q000458:organization & administration*