Undertriage for Children With Caregivers Preferring Languages Other Than English

• DOI: 10.1542/peds.2022-059386
• Publication Date: 2023-05-16T08:16:35Z
• Authors: Christina R. Rojas; James M. Chamberlain; Joanna S. Cohen; Gia M. Badolato; Lawrence J. Cook; Monika K. Goyal; Deena Berkowitz
• Keywords: Triage; Limited English Proficiency; Odds

Undertriage, the underestimation of acuity, can result in delayed care and potential morbidity emergency department (ED). Although inequities ED based on language preference have been noted, little is known about its association with undertriage. We evaluated for differences undertriage caregiver preference.This was a retrospective cross-sectional study patients aged younger than 21 years, triaged as Emergency Severity Index (ESI) level 4 or 5 (nonurgent), to pediatric from January 1, 2019, through 31, 2021. Indicators were defined hospital admission, significant resource use, return visits admission. used logistic regression generalized estimating equations measure preferred undertriage.Of 114 266 included study, 22 525 (19.8%) represented caregivers preferring languages other English. These children more likely experience compared those English (3.7% [English] versus 4.6% [Spanish] 5.9% [other languages]; Spanish English: odds ratio [OR], 1.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-1.4] OR, 1.6; CI, 1.2-2.2). Differences remained after adjusting sex, insurance, mode arrival, clustering by triage nurse (Spanish adjusted 1.3-1.5) 1.2-2.2).Children accompanied are be undertriaged ED. Efforts improve process needed promote equitable this population.