학술논문

Can Emergency Department Triage Nurses predict patients' dispositions?
Document Type
Academic Journal
Source
American Journal of Emergency Medicine. Jan, 2001, Vol. 19 Issue 1, p10, 5 p.
Subject
Hospitals -- Emergency service
Emergency nursing
Medical research
Medicine, Experimental
Nurses
Language
English
ISSN
0735-6757
Abstract
To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1053/ajem.2001.20033 Byline: Joshua M. Kosowsky, Stuart Shindel, Tiepu Liu, Catherine Hamilton, Arthur M. Pancioli Abstract: Early recognition of inpatient bed requirements might be helpful in expediting the admission process through the emergency department (ED). With this in mind, we asked whether ED triage nurses could accurately predict patients' in-hospital dispositions. A prediction was recorded for 521 ED patients, of whom 107 (20.5%) were ultimately admitted to the hospital. Nurses correctly anticipated 66 of 107 hospital admissions (sensitivity = 61.7%, PPV = 61.7%). With respect to predicting specific levels of inpatient care, nurses correctly anticipated 17 of 45 floor admissions (sensitivity = 37.8%, PPV = 34.7%),14 of 33 step-down/monitored unit admissions (sensitivity = 42.4%, PPV = 48.3%), and 12 of 24 intensive care unit admissions (sensitivity = 50.0%, PPV = 66.7%). Lacking in sensitivity and positive predictive value, particularly with regard to specific levels of inpatient care, triage nurses' predictions may have limited potential to expedite the admission process. Article History: Received 28 February 2000; Accepted 2 April 2000 Article Note: (footnote) * Supported by a grant from the University of Cincinnati Department of Emergency Medicine Resident Research Fund.