Assessment and risk classification protocol for patients in emergency units

Abstract

Objective to develop, validate the contents and verify the reliability of a risk classification protocol for an Emergency Unit. Method the content validation was developed in a University Hospital in a country town located in the state of Sao Paulo and was carried out in two stages: the first with the individual assessment of specialists and the second with the meeting between the researchers and the specialists. The use of the protocol followed a specific guide. Concerning reliability, the concordance or equivalent method among observers was used. Results the protocol developed showed to have content validity and, after the suggested changes were made, there were excellent results concerning reliability. Conclusion the assistance flow chart was shown to be easy to use, and facilitate the search for the complaint in each assistance priority.

Características dos idosos atendidos em um pronto-socorro em decorrência de queda

“…The efficiency of the emergency and urgency network is dependent on a quality reception. In this way, it is possible to analyze whether the search for the service was necessary (14) . SMCR correlates the risk to a color, and a maximum time to offer medical attention is determined (13) .…”

“…SMCR correlates the risk to a color, and a maximum time to offer medical attention is determined (13) . Most elders were classified as yellow, which indicates urgent situations, in which the patient needs care as quickly as possible, but there is not an immediate risk of life (14) , which leads to the belief that these patients are not seeking service without a real need. Falls are among the main causes of morbidity and mortality in the elderly population (17) , and are considered one of the most common reasons for hospitalization in this age group (8) .…”

“…The flowchart and risk classification were variables defined according to the Manchester Risk Classification System (SMCR), that is based on categories of signs and symptoms and contains 52 flowcharts that are selected for the specific situation/complaint and presented by the user at the time of reception in the service (13) . For risk classification, the severity of the fall is classified using five colors related to the priority and the maximum time for the first medical attention, which are: red (emergency -0 minutes); orange (very urgent -10 minutes); yellow (urgent -60 minutes); green (not very urgent -120 minutes), and blue (not urgent -240 minutes) (14) .…”

Protocol Proposal For The Care Of The Person With Venous Ulcer

“…Another important factor is the use of the proposed protocol in the clinical context, which may point out difficulties and suggest improvements [24].…”

Triage in an adult emergency service: patient satisfaction

“…There is a study which indicates the need for training nurses in triage, since it was observed that the greater the professional qualification and the higher the number of hours performing triage, the more reliable the results in prioritization of care (13) . In this regard, the literature points out that health professionals working in emergency units need to develop skills that ensure technical and scientific competence as well as an embracing and humanized approach toward patients (5,14) .…”