Researchers tested the feasibility of the ACS’ benchmarks of less than 5 percent undertriage and less than 50 percent overtriage. They measured undertriage and overtriage rates, patient volume shifts and the number of lives saved through a retrospective study of more than 93,000 adult patients initially evaluated at nontrauma centers from 2001-2005.
Results showed an undertriage and overtriage rate of 69 percent and 53 percent, respectively. Researchers concluded achieving the undertriage benchmark of less than 5 percent would require a five-fold increase of current patient transfers per year. They suggest physicians at nontrauma centers better “discriminate between moderate to severe and other injuries” or the ACS’ benchmarks be modified.
Read the study about the American College of Surgeons’ benchmarks for triage of trauma patients.
Read other coverage about OR efficiency:
– 5 Strategies to Improve Patient Flow in a Busy Hospital
– Triage Sessions, Other Measures Taken to Improve Patient Flow at Montefiore Medical Center
– OR Residents Associated With Higher Patient Morbidity But Lower Patient Mortality
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