The FRENCH (FRench Emergency Nurses Classification in Hospital) scale can be used to triage a patient in the Emergency Department. The authors are from Renee Diderot University in Paris.
Patient selection: patient in the Emergency Department
Status
Triage
no functional impairment or organic lesion requiring use of hospital resources
5
stable, noncomplex functional impairment or organic lesions, but requires the urgent use of at least one hospital resource
4
functional impairment or organic lesions likely to deteriorate within 24 hours or complex medical situation justifying the use of several hospital resources
3
marked impairment of a vital organ OR imminently life-threatening OR functionally disabling traumatic lesion
2
immediately life-threatening
1
In addition, a star ("*") can be applied to triage level 3 or 4 if there is an intense symptom or abnormal vital parameter requiring rapid corrective action (within 20 minutes).
Triage
Intervention
Action
5
medical within 240 minutes
consultation with no procedures
4
medical within 120 minutes
consultation with limited diagnostic or therapeutic procedures
3
medical within 60 minutes
multiple; evaluation in addition to treatment
2
immediate paramedical; medical within 20 minutes
treatment of vital function or traumatic lesion
1
immediate paramedical and medical
support of >= 1 vital function
Table 2 (page 63) maps the most common ED complaints or findings to the appropriate triage level.
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