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Evaluation of Emergency Triage Using a Computerized Simulator

This study has been completed.
Sponsor:
Information provided by:
University Hospital, Geneva
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
NCT00321243
First received: February 6, 2006
Last updated: June 3, 2008
Last verified: June 2008
History of Changes

February 6, 2006
June 3, 2008
May 2006
May 2007   (final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
  • Inter-rater and intra-rater reliability
  • Performance of evaluators
Same as current
Complete list of historical versions of study NCT00321243 on ClinicalTrials.gov Archive Site
Impact of visual clues on reliability
Same as current
Not Provided
Not Provided
 
Evaluation of Emergency Triage Using a Computerized Simulator
Evaluation of a Four-Level Triage Scale (the Geneva Emergency Triage Scale) Using a Computer Triage Simulator

A four-level triage scale (the Geneva Emergency Triage Scale, GETS) has been used since 1997 in our emergency department (ED). A recent evaluation of this scale showed that our instrument had an excellent intra-rater reliability but insufficient inter-rater reliability. We also observed a wide variability in the way triage nurses perform (J Clin Epidemiology, 2006 in press). These variations in the triage process are mainly explained by a poor standardization of vital signs measurement. Therefore, we have recently modified our triage instrument and introduced explicit criteria for vital signs evaluation during the triage process.

The objectives of this study are:

  • To evaluate the inter- and intra-rater reliability of our modified triage scale using a computer simulator
  • To measure the impact of visual clues on the triage decisions when using the triage simulator
  • To evaluate the performance of triage nurses and chief physicians in their triage decisions.

We expect to observe:

  • an improvement of the inter-rater reliability of our instrument compared to the previous version
  • a better standardization and more systematic use of vital signs measurement
  • a higher reliability when visual clues are given to the evaluator
  • lower rates of under- and over-estimation of emergency levels.

A four-level triage scale (the Geneva Emergency Triage Scale, GETS) has been used since 1997 in our emergency department (ED). A recent evaluation of this scale showed that our instrument had an excellent intra-rater reliability but insufficient inter-rater reliability. We also observed a wide variability in the way triage nurses perform (J Clin Epidemiology, 2006 in press). These variations in the triage process are mainly explained by a poor standardization of vital signs measurement. Therefore, we have recently modified our triage instrument and introduced explicit criteria for vital signs evaluation during the triage process.

The objectives of this study are:

  • To evaluate the inter- and intra-rater reliability of our modified triage scale using a computer simulator
  • To measure the impact of visual clues on the triage decisions when using the triage simulator
  • To evaluate the performance of triage nurses and chief physicians in their triage decisions.

We expect to observe:

  • an improvement of the inter-rater reliability of our instrument compared to the previous version
  • a better standardization and more systematic use of vital signs measurement
  • a higher reliability when visual clues are given to the evaluator
  • lower rates of under- and over-estimation of emergency levels.
Interventional
Not Provided
Allocation: Randomized
Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Open Label
Emergencies
Behavioral: Visual clues
Not Provided
Not Provided

*   Includes publications given by the data provider as well as publications identified by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number) in Medline.
 
Completed
150
May 2007
May 2007   (final data collection date for primary outcome measure)

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Triage nurses
  • Emergency physicians
Both
18 Years to 65 Years
No
Contact information is only displayed when the study is recruiting subjects
Switzerland
 
NCT00321243
CER 05-213
Not Provided
O. Rutschmann, HUG, Geneva
University Hospital, Geneva
Not Provided
Principal Investigator: Olivier T Rutschmann, MD, MPH University Hospital, Geneva
University Hospital, Geneva
June 2008

ICMJE     Data element required by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors and the World Health Organization ICTRP