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Completed

NCT Number: NCT00321243

Evaluation of Emergency Triage Using a Computerized 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.

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Key information

Conditions

Emergencies Disease Attributes Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Geneva University Hospitals

Geneva, Canton of Geneva, 1211, Switzerland

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Triage nurses
  • Emergency physicians

Treatment and study plan

Visual clues

Behavioral

Primary outcomes

  1. Inter-rater and intra-rater reliability

  2. Performance of evaluators

Secondary outcomes

  1. Impact of visual clues on reliability

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University Hospital, Geneva

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Evaluation of a Four-Level Triage Scale (the Geneva Emergency Triage Scale) Using a Computer Triage Simulator

Important dates

Study start
2006
Primary completion
2007
Study completion
2007
First posted
May 3, 2006
Registry last updated
Jun 4, 2008

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

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This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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