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2025, Number 4

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Rev Mex Pediatr 2025; 92 (4)

Triage performance in the pediatric emergency services of a regional high-specialty hospital

Medina-Jasso DM, Montante-Rodríguez RC, Fonseca-Leal MP

Language: Spanish
References: 28
Page: 139-144
PDF size: 438.42 Kb.


ABSTRACT

Introduction: in emergency departments, it is essential to identify the most critically ill patients so they can receive immediate care. The Pediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT) is a validated tool that allows for rapid triage based on specific criteria. Objective: to evaluate the performance of triage using the PAT classification in a pediatric emergency department. Material and methods: between August 2024 and January 2025, a prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in the emergency department of the Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad "Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto". Sixty pediatric patients with gastrointestinal and respiratory conditions were included. Initially, patients were classified as having actual or perceived emergencies by a general practitioner using the PAT instrument, and this classification was subsequently compared with that of a pediatrician. Results: there were 30 patients with a actual emergency and 30 with a perceived emergency, ranging in age from newborns to 14 years. The reasons for consultation were respiratory distress (32%), abdominal pain (17%), and fever (15%). There were no differences in sociodemographic variables between the two groups. The pediatrician identified more cases of actual emergencies (52% versus 33%). The general practitioner's performance in identifying true emergencies had a sensitivity of 74% (95% CI 58–86%), a specificity of 63% (95% CI 51–73%), and a diagnostic accuracy of 66% (95% CI 57–75%). Conclusions: the PAT tool allows the identification of patients who require immediate attention in pediatric emergency services; however, medical personnel in triage require training for its optimal application.


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