title: Performance of the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale for children: a multicenter database study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We evaluate the association between triage levels assigned using the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale and surrogate markers of validity for real-life children triaged in multiple emergency departments (EDs).
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective cohort study evaluating the triage assessment and outcomes of all children presenting to 12 pediatric EDs, all of which are members of the Pediatric Emergency Research Canada group, during a 1-year period (2010 to 2011). Anonymous data were retrieved from the ED computerized databases. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of children hospitalized for each triage level. Other outcomes were ICU admission, proportion of patients who left without being seen by a physician, and length of stay in the ED. Evaluation of all children visiting these EDs during 1 year was expected to provide more than 1,000 patients in each triage category.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 550,940 children were included. Pooled data demonstrated hospitalization proportions of 61%, 30%, 10%, 2%, and 0.9% for patients in Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale levels 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. There was a strong association between triage level and admission to the ICU, probability of leaving without being seen by a physician, and length of stay.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The strong association between triage level and multiple markers of severity in 12 Canadian pediatric EDs suggests validity of the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale for children.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. graveljocelyn@hotmail.com
authors: Jocelyn
authors: J
authors: Gravel
authors: Eleanor
authors: E
authors: Fitzpatrick
authors: Serge
authors: S
authors: Gouin
authors: Kelly
authors: K
authors: Millar
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Curtis
authors: Gary
authors: G
authors: Joubert
authors: Kathy
authors: K
authors: Boutis
authors: Chantal
authors: C
authors: Guimont
authors: Ran D
authors: RD
authors: Goldman
authors: Alexander S
authors: AS
authors: Dubrovsky
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Porter
authors: Darcy
authors: D
authors: Beer
authors: Quynh
authors: Q
authors: Doan
authors: Martin H
authors: MH
authors: Osmond
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002170:Canada; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D062072:Patient Acuity; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D014218:Triage / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data