Web-based triage in a college health setting.
The authors describe the initiation and use of a Web-based triage system in a college health setting. During the first 4 months of implementation, the system recorded 1,290 encounters. More women accessed the system (70%); the average age was 21.8 years. The Web-based triage system advised the majority of students to seek care within 24 hours; however, it recommended self-care management in 22.7% of encounters. Sore throat was the most frequent chief complaint (14.2%). A subset of 59 students received treatment at student health services after requesting an appointment via e-mail. The authors used kappa statistics to compare congruence between chief complaint and 24/7 WebMed classification (kappa = .94), between chief complaint and student health center diagnosis (kappa = .91), and between 24/7 WebMed classification and student health center diagnosis (kappa = .89). Initial evaluation showed high use and good accuracy of Web-based triage. This service provides education and advice to students about their health care concerns.
University of Central Florida School of Nursing, Orlando 32816-2210, USA. msole@mail.ucf.edu
Mary Lou
ML
Sole
Patricia L
PL
Stuart
Michael
M
Deichen
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D020407:Internet / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012648:Self Care; D013333:Student Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014218:Triage / Q000145:classification / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D014495:Universities