Scientific Literature on the Reliability and Validity of the Manchester Triage System (MTS) Protocol: A Integrative Literature Review

Temperature thresholds and screening of febrile people by non-contact measurement of the face using infrared thermography - A methodology proposal

Recent outbreaks of infectious diseases such as Covid-19 that have fever as one of the symptoms drive the search for systems to track people with fever quickly and non-contact, also known as sanitary barriers. The use of non-contact infrared-based instruments, especially the infrared thermal imager, has widely spread. However, the screening process has presented low performance. This article addresses the choice of regions of interest on the human face for the analysis of the individual's fever, deals with the temperature thresholds used for this analysis, as well as the way to issue the recommendation to screen the person or not. The data collection and statistical analysis of temperatures of 198 volunteers allowed us to study and define the most appropriate face regions as targets for these barriers, as well as the temperature thresholds to be used for screening for each of these regions. Besides, the paper presents a probabilistic method based on the metrological quality of the sanitary barrier to the emission of recommendation for screening potentially febrile people. The developed method was tested in feverish and non-febrile volunteers, showing complete assertiveness in the tested cases.

Management of resources in a federal emergency hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe actions taken by the organizational management of an emergency service due to the COVID-19 pandemic, determined according to the prevalence of cases of infection by the coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome, and flu-like illnesses. Methods: Experience report based on a retrospective analysis of the attention for respiratory syndromes in the first semester of 2019 and 2020, in addition to an analysis of documents from the institutional protocols of a federal emergency service. Development: An increase in the number of attendances was observed, representing 7.25% and 19.4% of cases in 2019 and 2020, respectively. This was due to the creation of the Crisis Office, including a multidisciplinary team created to elaborate the plan of action, changes in the physical structure and in the work processes, and training sessions. Final considerations: It became clear that the planning, coordination of actions based on the decisions of the Crisis Office, and the dissemination of reliable information, taking into consideration a focal point, were essential for the organization, management of the emergency service, and protection to the workers.

Manchester Triage System: assessment in an emergency hospital service

OBJECTIVES

to analyze demographic data, clinical profile and outcomes of patients in emergency services according to Manchester Triage System's priority level.

METHODS

a cross-sectional, analytical study, carried out with 3,624 medical records. For statistical analysis, the Chi-Square Test was used.

RESULTS

white individuals were more advanced in age. In the red and white categories, there was a higher percentage of men when compared to women (p=0.0018) and higher prevalence of personal history. Yellow priority patients had higher percentage of pain (p<0.0001). Those in red category had a higher frequency of altered vital signs, external causes, and death outcome. There was a higher percentage of exams performed and hospitalization in the orange category. Blue priority patients had a higher percentage of non-specific complaints and dismissal after risk stratification.

CONCLUSIONS

a higher percentage of altered vital signs, number of tests performed, hospitalization and death were evidenced in Manchester protocol's high priority categories.

Risk classification of children and adolescents: priority of care in the emergency unit

OBJECTIVE

to evaluate the clinical conditions and the risk classification of children and adolescents treated in a hospital emergency, according to the Pediatric Risk Classification Protocol.

METHOD

cross-sectional study, with 200 participants, using an instrument based on the Pediatric Risk Classification Protocol and using odds ratio for the analysis.

RESULTS

most participants were male patients in early childhood and who were or weren't in daycare. As for clinical conditions, most showed changes in vital (24.5%) and respiratory (20.0%) signs, most patients (57.5%) did not present pain; 35.5% were classified as urgent and 45.0% as non-urgent. There was a greater chance of being classified as very urgent (orange) when compared to non-urgent (blue).

CONCLUSION

the protocol used contributed to an effective classification and was considered a valid and reliable health technology for determining the priority of care.

The accuracy of the Manchester Triage System in an emergency service

ABSTRACT Objective: To verify the accuracy of the Manchester Triage System (MTS) and the outcomes of adult patients in an emergency hospital service. Method: Cross-sectional study, conducted through an inspection of records of risk classification of adult patients treated in the emergency service of a hospital. Results: The patients (n = 400) were classified according to priority levels, in red (0.8%), orange (58.2%), and yellow (41.0%). The accuracy levels between auditors and nurses were substantial for the flowchart (K = 0.75), and moderate for discriminating factors (k = 0.46) and priority levels (k = 0.42). The accuracy of the MTS was 68.8% with regard to priority levels. Regarding outcomes, 60% of patients were discharged, 37% were transferred to other units, and 3% died. Conclusion: The MTS proved to be a good predictor of the assessed outcomes, showing that 65.9% of Low Urgency patients progress to discharges, and 3.8% of High Urgency patients progress to death. The accuracy of the MTS was moderate, which suggests the need to implement inspections in emergency services.

Embracement with risk classification: relationship of justice with the user

ABSTRACT Objective: to describe the conception of justice of nurses and users regarding the Risk Classification in Emergency Unit; to analyze the conception of justice in the implementation of the Risk Classification in Emergency Unit from the user’s recognition; to discuss, from Axel Honneth’s Theory of Recognition, justice with the user in the Risk Classification in Emergency Unit. Method: qualitative research of descriptive, exploratory typology, which used action research as a method. Bardin’s Content Analysis was carried out. Results: a category was created: “Justice versus Injustice” and three subcategories: “Autonomy/Freedom versus Heteronomy/Subordination”; “Communication versus Hermeneutic Problems”; “Contributions versus Conflicts”. Final considerations: Embracement with Risk Classification presents difficulties in its interpretation and effectiveness; there are situations of disrespect that compete against the required ethics. Justice addressed by this study will be achieved by an emergency access system that meets user expectations, recognizing it as a subject of rights.

Performance of triage systems in emergency care: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To assess and compare the performance of triage systems for identifying high and low-urgency patients in the emergency department (ED).

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES

EMBASE, Medline OvidSP, Cochrane central, Web of science and CINAHL databases from 1980 to 2016 with the final update in December 2018.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Studies that evaluated an emergency medical triage system, assessed validity using any reference standard as proxy for true patient urgency and were written in English. Studies conducted in low(er) income countries, based on case scenarios or involving less than 100 patients were excluded.

REVIEW METHODS

Reviewers identified studies, extracted data and assessed the quality of the evidence independently and in duplicate. The Quality Assessment of studies of Diagnostic Accuracy included in Systematic Reviews -2 checklist was used to assess risk of bias. Raw data were extracted to create 2×2 tables and calculate sensitivity and specificity. ED patient volume and casemix severity of illness were investigated as determinants of triage systems' performance.

RESULTS

Sixty-six eligible studies evaluated 33 different triage systems. Comparisons were restricted to the three triage systems that had at least multiple evaluations using the same reference standard (Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale, Emergency Severity Index and Manchester Triage System). Overall, validity of each triage system to identify high and low-urgency patients was moderate to good, but performance was highly variable. In a subgroup analysis, no clear association was found between ED patient volume or casemix severity of illness and triage systems' performance.

CONCLUSIONS

Established triage systems show a reasonable validity for the triage of patients at the ED, but performance varies considerably. Important research questions that remain are what determinants influence triage systems' performance and how the performance of existing triage systems can be improved.

Evaluation of triage quality in the emergency department: a scoping review protocol

REVIEW OBJECTIVE/QUESTIONS

The objective of this scoping review is to explore the existing literature on the evaluation of the quality of triage for patients of all ages and medical conditions in emergency departments (EDs).The question for this review is: How is triage in the ED evaluated? More specifically, we are interested in answering the following sub-questions.

Pain in emergency units: correlation with risk classification categories

Objectives:

to correlate risk classification categories with the level of pain of patients in an emergency service.

Method:

cross-sectional study carried out in the Risk Classification of 611 patients. The variables studied were: age, gender, comorbidities, complaint duration, medical specialty, signs and symptoms, outcome, color attributed in the risk classification of and degree of pain. We used Analysis of Variance, a Chi-Square test and a Likelihood Ratio test.

Results:

the average age was 42.1 years (17.8); 59.9% were women; the green (58.9%) and yellow (22.7%) risk classification prevailed and hypertension (18.3%) was the most common Comorbidity. The most frequent pain intensity was moderate (25.9%). In the red category, patients presented a higher percentage of absence of pain; in the blue, mild pain; and in the green, yellow and orange categories, there was a greater percentage of intense pain (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion:

among the patients who presented pain, the majority reported moderate intensity. Regarding risk categories, most patients in the red category did not report pain. Those who were classified as green, yellow and orange, reported mostly intense pain. On the other hand, patients in the blue category reported predominantly mild pain.

Reliability analysis of the Manchester Triage System: inter-observer and intra-observer agreement

Objective:

To analyze the reliability of the Manchester Triage System to determine the priority of patients in emergency services.

Method:

This is a reliability study with a sample of 361 nurses. The data were collected in three stages and the questionnaires were applied using the electronic software. The agreement was measured by the evaluation of clinical cases. The outcomes evaluated were agreement with the gold standard and intra-observer in the indication of the flowchart, discriminator, and level of risk. Data were submitted to univariate and bivariate analyses. The agreement was measured by the Kappa index.

Results:

The external and internal reliability of the protocol ranged from moderate to substantial (Kappa: 0.55-0.78). The time of professional experience as a nurse, in emergency services and in the classification of risk were associated with external and internal reliability. The correct choice of the discriminator influenced the correct indication of the risk level (R² = 0.77, p <0.0001) more than the correct choice of the flowchart (R² = 0.16, p <0.0001).

Conclusion:

The reliability of the Manchester Triage System ranged from moderate to substantial and it was influenced by the clinical experience of the nurse. The protocol is safe for defining clinical priorities using different classification flowcharts.

CONCORDÂNCIA DE UM PROTOCOLO INSTITUCIONAL DE AVALIAÇÃO COM CLASSIFICAÇÃO DE RISCO

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar a concordância entre os enfermeiros na aplicação de um protocolo institucional de avaliação com classificação de risco em uma unidade de emergência hospitalar. Método: estudo quantitativo de abordagem transversal e retrospectivo, realizado na unidade de emergência adulto de um hospital geral do Estado de Santa Catarina, baseado em fichas de atendimento. A coleta de dados ocorreu entre outubro e dezembro de 2013. A amostra fora constituída de 380 fichas de atendimento, selecionadas por aleatorização simples. O grau de concordância se determinou pelo coeficiente Kappa. Resultados: a concordância geral entre os enfermeiros na aplicação do protocolo institucional foi substancial (Kappa=0,786) representando 331 (87,2%) fichas. Entre os níveis de classificação houve concordância quase perfeita para todos eles (Kappa=1 para o nível vermelho, Kappa=0,836 para o nível laranja, Kappa=0,884 para o nível amarelo, Kappa=0,865 para o nível verde e Kappa=1 para o nível azul). Conclusão: a concordância geral na aplicação do protocolo institucional se mostrou substancial, sendo evidenciada uma concordância quase perfeita em todos os níveis de classificação. Houve superestimação e subestimação da classificação de risco em relação ao protocolo. Sugere-se que os enfermeiros que realizam a classificação de risco recebam treinamento por parte da instituição quanto à aplicabilidade do protocolo, a fim de minimizar a superestimação e subestimação da classificação de risco. Este trabalho contribui ao avaliar a aplicação de um protocolo novo implantado, com subsídios para uma melhor concordância na sua implementação por enfermeiros.

Risk classification priorities in an emergency unit and outcomes of the service provided

Objective:

to check the association of the proposed priorities of the institutional protocol of risk classification with the outcomes and evaluate the profile of the care provided in an emergency unit.

Method:

observational epidemiological study based on data from the computerized files of a Reference Emergency Unit. Care provided to adults was evaluated regarding risk classification and outcomes (death, hospitalization and hospital discharge) based on the information recorded in the emergency bulletin.

Results:

the mean age of the 97,099 registered patients was 43.4 years; 81.5% cases were spontaneous demand; 41.2% had been classified as green, 15.3% yellow, 3.7% blue, 3% red and 36.and 9% had not received a classification; 90.2% of the patients had been discharged, 9.4% hospitalized and 0.4% had died. Among patients who were discharged, 14.7% had been classified as yellow or red, 13.6% green or blue, and 1.8% as blue or green.

Conclusion:

the protocol of risk classification showed good sensitivity to predict serious situations that can progress to death or hospitalization.

Factors associated with the care of elderly persons with Primary Health Care sensitive conditions

Abstract Objective: to analyze factors associated with the care of the elderly for Primary Health Care sensitive conditions in an Emergency Care Unit. Method: a cross-sectional study was carried out in a municipal district located in the northwest of the state of Paraná, Brazil, between May and November of 2015. A semi-structured instrument was used, consisting of three distinct blocks that addressed sociodemographic profile, characterization of care and the reasons that led the elderly to seek care in the unit. The data were submitted to descriptive analysis and logistic regression for the treatment of variables. Results: A total of 191 elderly persons, who were female (56%), had less than eight years of schooling (85.3%) and were retirees (78.5%) were interviewed. The results showed that people with chronic morbidities were 1.42 times more likely (CI: 1.08 - 5.42) to seek the Emergency Care Unit prior to the Basic Health Unit and were 1.65 times more likely (IC: 1.01 - 6.82) to be referred by the unit for care. The lack of a doctor in Basic Health Units was also a factor responsible for the 1.36 times greater chance (CI: 1.03 - 5.38) of the elderly being referred to the Emergency Care Unit for primary care sensitive conditions. Conclusion: the lack of human resources in the first level of care of the health service, together with the need for treatment of morbidities, were factors associated with the elderly seeking treatment for primary care sensitive conditions, with diseases of the osteomuscular and connective tissue systems the main reasons for seeking such care (47.6%).

Correlation between classification in risk categories and clinical aspects and outcomes

Objective

to correlate classification in risk categories with the clinical profiles, outcomes and origins of patients.

Method

analytical cross-sectional study conducted with 697 medical forms of adult patients. The variables included: age, sex, origin, signs and symptoms, exams, personal antecedents, classification in risk categories, medical specialties, and outcome. The Chi-square and likelihood ratio tests were used to associate classifications in risk categories with origin, signs and symptoms, exams, personal antecedents, medical specialty, and outcome.

Results

most patients were women with an average age of 44.5 years. Pain and dyspnea were the symptoms most frequently reported while hypertension and diabetes mellitus were the most common comorbidities. Classifications in the green and yellow categories were the most frequent and hospital discharge the most common outcome. Patients classified in the red category presented the highest percentage of ambulance origin due to surgical reasons. Those classified in the orange and red categories also presented the highest percentage of hospitalization and death.

Conclusion

correlation between clinical aspects and outcomes indicate there is a relationship between the complexity of components in the categories with greater severity, evidenced by the highest percentage of hospitalization and death.

Manchester Triage System: main flowcharts, discriminators and outcomes of a pediatric emergency care

Objetive:

to characterize the care services performed through risk rating by the Manchester Triage System, identifying demographics (age, gender), main flowcharts, discriminators and outcomes in pediatric emergency

Method:

cross-sectional quantitative study. Data on risk classification were obtained through a search of computerized registration data from medical records of patients treated in the pediatric emergency within one year. Descriptive statistics with absolute and relative frequencies was used for the analysis.

Results:

10,921 visits were conducted in the pediatric emergency, mostly male (54.4%), aged between 29 days and two years (44.5%). There was a prevalence of the urgent risk category (43.6%). The main flowchart used in the care was worried parents (22.4%) and the most prevalent discriminator was recent event (15.3%). The hospitalization outcome occurred in 10.4% of care performed in the pediatric emergency, however 61.8% of care needed to stay under observation and / or being under the health team care in the pediatric emergency.

Conclusion:

worried parents was the main flowchart used and recent events the most prevalent discriminator, comprising the hospitalization outcomes and permanency in observation in the pediatric emergency before discharge from the hospital.