Performance of the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale in Children

When applied to children, this triage tool demonstrated good interrater reliability and predicted hospital resource use.

The Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale, developed according to expert consensus, was nationally implemented in Canada in 2001. The scale incorporates age and presenting signs and symptoms to categorize patients from level 5 (lowest acuity) to level 1 (highest acuity). To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale in children, investigators prospectively enrolled a convenience sample of 1464 patients (age, ≤17 years) who presented to nine Canadian tertiary pediatric emergency departments (EDs) during 2 years. Patients triaged to level 1 (immediate resuscitation) were not enrolled. After triage by an ED nurse trained in the scale, each patient was triaged by a research nurse who was blinded to the initial tria…

Reviewing Author

Katherine Bakes, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier)

Grant/Research SupportDepartment of Justice

Editorial BoardsEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier); Rosen’s Emergency Medicine (Elsevier)

Katherine Bakes, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier)

Grant/Research SupportDepartment of Justice

Editorial BoardsEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier); Rosen’s Emergency Medicine (Elsevier)