Talmor et al developed a simple triage score for identifying a patient needing critical care during an epidemic. The authors are from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Carolinas Medical Center (Charlotte) and Seattle County.
Parameters:
(1) age of the patient in years
(2) mental status
(3) respiratory rate
(4) shock index (ratio of heart rate to systolic blood pressure)
(5) oxygen saturation
|
Parameter |
Finding |
Points |
|
age of the patient in years |
<= 65 years |
0 |
|
|
> 65 years |
1 |
|
mental status |
normal |
0 |
|
|
altered |
1 |
|
respiratory rate |
<= 30 breaths per minute |
0 |
|
|
> 30 breaths per minute |
1 |
|
shock index |
<= 1 |
0 |
|
|
> 1 (heart rate > systolic BP) |
1 |
|
oxygen saturation |
normal |
0 |
|
|
low |
1 |
total score =
= SUM(points for all 5 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 5
• The higher the score the more severe the illness.
|
Total Score |
Estimated Mortality |
Estimated Need for ICU Care |
|
0 |
< 2% |
5 - 10% |
|
1 |
4 - 6% |
10 - 20% |
|
2 |
8 - 12% |
22 - 38% |
|
3 to 5 |
20 - 32% |
35 - 72% |
based on Figure 1, page 1254
Limitations:
• In some infections younger patients may be more vulnerable and so the score may need to be adjusted accordingly.
Specialty: Surgery, orthopedic, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care, Surgery, general
ICD-10: ,
