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Standardized Comparison of Triage in EMS

This study has been completed.
Sponsor:
Information provided by:
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
NCT00468780
First received: May 1, 2007
Last updated: August 9, 2011
Last verified: August 2011
History of Changes
  Purpose

The objective of this study is to evaluate the reliability and validity of acuity estimates by paramedics employing the Canadian Triage Acuity Scale (CTAS) in the out of hospital setting. The study has the potential to help guide policy decisions pertaining to the safe transfer of ambulance patients to alternative destinations reducing ED overcrowding and ambulance off load time. Emergency Department triage nurses employ the same acuity scale and if this study is successful the emergency departments and the EMS services could communicate about capacity to handle patients based on acuity, volumes and waiting times.


Condition
Healthy

Study Type: Observational
Study Design: Observational Model: Case-Only
Time Perspective: Prospective
Official Title: Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Redirecting Ambulance Patients to Destinations Based on Acuity

Further study details as provided by Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre:

Estimated Enrollment: 800
Study Start Date: February 2003
Study Completion Date: December 2008
  Show Detailed Description

  Eligibility

Genders Eligible for Study:   Both
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:   Yes
Sampling Method:   Probability Sample
Study Population

This study is taking place in 7 EMS systems in Ontario: Peterborough, Thunder Bay, Hamilton, Simcoe/Muskoka, Durham, Peel, and Toronto.

The participants(Both Primary care paramedics and Advance Care Parmaeidcs)are riding as civilian observers under contract to the Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre Research Institute and have signed liability release forms.

The main focus of the SCORE study is to determine how well paramedics in the field can correctly assign CTAS scores. By showing that it can be done reliably, decisions can be made on suitable destinations, especially for the low acuity patient.

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

  • All patients
  Contacts and Locations
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00468780

Locations
Canada, Ontario
Hamilton Health Sciences
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, L8V 1C3
Sunnybrook-Osler Centre for Prehospital Care
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M9W 7K6
Sponsors and Collaborators
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Investigators
Principal Investigator: Laurie Morrison, MD Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center
  More Information

Additional Information:
Prehospital and Transport Medicine Research Program Website  This link exits the ClinicalTrials.gov site

No publications provided

Responsible Party: Dr.Laurie J Morrison, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00468780     History of Changes
Other Study ID Numbers: 724180022
Study First Received: May 1, 2007
Last Updated: August 9, 2011
Health Authority: Canada: Ministry of Health

Keywords provided by Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre:
Canadian Triage Acuity Scale
paramedics
triage nurse
 triage levels
inter-rater reliability
health services outcomes

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on May 16, 2013