Talmor et al developed a simple score to help triage patients during pandemic influenza. These can help to identify a patient who may require more aggressive management. The authors are from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School.
Patient selection: H1N1 pandemic influenza
Parameters:
(1) age of the patient in years
(2) respiratory rate in breaths per minute
(3) heart rate and systolic blood pressure (shock index, see 06.01.06)
(4) oxygen saturation
(5) mental status
Parameter |
Finding |
Complex |
Simple |
age of the patient in years |
< 65 years of age |
0 |
0 |
|
65 to 74 years |
3 |
1 |
|
>= 75 years of age |
4 |
1 |
respiratory rate |
<= 30 breaths per minute |
0 |
0 |
|
> 30 breaths per minute |
4 |
1 |
heart rate and systolic BP |
heart rate <= systolic BP (shock index <= 1) |
0 |
0 |
|
heart rate > systolic BP (shock index > 1) |
3 |
1 |
oxygen saturation |
normal |
0 |
0 |
|
low |
3 |
1 |
mental status |
normal |
0 |
0 |
|
altered |
2 |
1 |
complex score =
= SUM(complex points for all of the parameters)
simple score =
= SUM(simple points for all of the parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum complex score: 16
• maximum simple score: 5
• The higher the score the greater the need for admission to the ICU and the greater the risk of mortality.
Specialty: Critical Care, Emergency Medicine
ICD-10: ,