Factors associated with undertriage in patients classified by the need to visit a hospital by telephone triage: a retrospective cohort study

• DOI: 10.1186/s12873-021-00552-x
• Publication Date: 2021-12-15T10:06:46Z
• Authors: Ryota Inokuchi; Xueying Jin; Masao Iwagami; Toshikazu Abe; Masatoshi Ishikawa; Nanako Tamiya
• Keywords: Triage

Abstract Background Prehospital telephone triage stratifies patients into five categories, “need immediate hospital visit by ambulance,” to a within 1 hour,” 6 hours,” 24 and “do not need visit” in Japan. However, studies on whether present past histories cause undertriage are limited triaged as an early visit. We investigated factors associated with comparing patient assessed be appropriately those undertriaged. Methods included all classified h who used single after-hours house call (AHHC) medical service Tokyo, Japan, between November 1, 2019, 31, 2020. After home consultation, AHHC doctors grade (treatable over-the-counter medications), 2 (requires or clinic visit), 3 ambulance transportation). Patients were defined undertriaged, respectively. Results identified 10,742 eligible h, including 10,479 (97.6%) 263 (2.4%) undertriaged patients. Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed aged 16–64, 65–74, ≥ 75 years (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.40 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.71–3.36], 8.57 CI 4.83–15.2], 14.9 9.65–23.0], respectively; reference < 15 years); diabetes mellitus (2.31 1.25–4.26]); dementia (2.32 1.05–5.10]); history of cerebral infarction (1.98 1.01–3.87]) more likely Conclusions found that older adults mellitus, dementia, at risk but further needed validate these findings.