Background: Standard triage systems result in high rates of overtriage to achieve acceptably low undertriage. We previously validated optimal triage variables and used these to implement a new simplified triage system (NEW) at our hospital.
Methods: All trauma entries from May 2010 to Feb 2013 were prospectively reviewed. Calculation of the undertriage and overtriage rates was based on the need for any urgent or life-saving intervention.
Results: We identified 704 trauma patients. Level 1 activations were reduced from 32% (OLD) to 19% in the NEW system (P < .05). Overtriage was reduced from 79% (OLD) to 44% in the NEW system (P < .01). The undertriage rate was 1.6% in the NEW system, compared with 1.2% in the OLD system (P = nonsignificant). Of all patients, 14% (63) required a life-saving intervention. There were no deaths among undertriaged patients.
Conclusion: The NEW simplified triage system significantly reduced the rate of overtriage, while safely maintaining a low undertriage rate.
Keywords: Overtriage; Trauma system; Trauma triage; Undertriage.
Published by Elsevier Inc.