| Sub-title | |
| Author | D Pace |
| Abstract | A high proportion of patients attending the Accident and Emergency Department are children (<14 years of age). The same triage officers who assess adults are responsible for prioritising children; including neonates and infants. However the triage system used for adults is not reproducible for children due to the different physiological values which vary with age. An analysis of the triage system used for children attending the paediatric emergency department was carried out over one week in August 2001. Out of a total of 234 children, 79 (33.7%) were triaged. Out of these 16 (0.068%) had one vital parameter measured (pulse rate, temperature, or blood glucose), the remaining 63 (26.9%) were prioritised according to the complaint of the parent/guardian. In conclusion, the above data indicate that there is the urgent need for the implementation of an effective triage system for children and the training of officers carrying out paediatric triage. This is essential in the case of several referrals so that those with the most immediate clinical need are treated first. |
Published in: | |
| Journal | Malta Medical Journal |
| Volume | Volume 15 (suppl) |
| Pages | - |
| Date | |
| Link to journal | |
| Key words | Paediatric, triage, emergency department, children |