Predictive validity of a computerized emergency triage tool.
BACKGROUND
Emergency department (ED) triage prioritizes patients on the basis of the urgency of need for care. eTRIAGE is a Web-based triage decision support tool that is based on the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS), a five level triage system (CTAS 1 = resuscitation, CTAS 5 = nonurgent).


OBJECTIVE
To examine the validity of eTRIAGE on the basis of resource utilization and cost as measures of acuity.


METHODS
Scores on the CTAS, specialist consultations, computed-tomography use, ED length of stay, ED disposition, and estimated ED and hospital costs (if the patient was subsequently admitted to hospital) were collected for each patient over a six month period. These data were queried from a database that captures all regional ED visits. Correlations between CTAS score and each outcome were measured by using logistic regression models (categorical variables), univariate analysis of variance (continuous variables), and the Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance (costs). A multivariate regression model that used cost as the outcome was used to identify interaction between the variables presented.


RESULTS
Over the six month study, 29,524 patients were triaged by using eTRIAGE. When compared with CTAS level 3, the odds ratios for consultation, CT scan, and admission were significantly higher in CTAS 1 and 2 and were significantly lower in CTAS 4 and 5 (p < 0.001). When compared with CTAS levels 2-5 combined, the odds ratio for death in CTAS 1 was 664.18 (p < 0.001). The length of stay also demonstrated significant correlation with CTAS score (p < 0.001). Costs to the ED and hospital also correlated significantly with increasing acuity (median costs for CTAS levels in Canadian dollars: CTAS 1 = 2,690 dollars, CTAS 2 = 433 dollars, CTAS 3 = 288 dollars, CTAS 4 = 164 dollars, CTAS 5 = 139 dollars, and p < 0.001). Significant interactions between the data collected were found in a multivariate regression model, although CTAS score remained highly associated with costs.


CONCLUSIONS
Acuity measured by eTRIAGE demonstrates excellent predictive validity for resource utilization and ED and hospital costs. Future research should focus on specific presenting complaints and targeted resources to more accurately assess eTRIAGE validity.
Dong
Sandy L
SL
Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Bullard
Michael J
MJ
Meurer
David P
DP
Blitz
Sandra
S
Akhmetshin
Edward
E
Ohinmaa
Arto
A
Holroyd
Brian R
BR
Rowe
Brian H
BH
D000328:Adult; D000416:Alberta; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D040841:Resource Allocation; D014218:Triage / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*