Resumen

MENDEZ E, BENIGNO MIGUEL  y  DUFFAU T, GASTÓN. Weight of Triage, Temperature, Cardiac Rate, and Oxigen Saturation in the Classification of Patients Seen in a Pediatric Emergency Service. Rev. chil. pediatr. [online]. 2009, vol.80, n.6, pp.528-533. ISSN 0370-4106.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0370-41062009000600005.

This study evaluares the association of Triage (Tr), body temperature (t) and Oxygen saturation (SatO₂) at the time of admission to a Pediatric Emergency Service (PES) with discharge home or hospitalization. Method: 1 863 patients admitted to a PES in June and July of 2007 were included, stratified by age (< 2 mo, 3-12 mo, 13-36 m, 37-60 mo, 61-120 mo, 121-187 mo). Chi Square test was used, screening for p < 0.05. Results: Hospitalization was most likely for children under 6 months old, (5.42, range 3.9-7.6), scoring Triage < 2 (6.9, range 4.7-10.2), or a Saturation level below 93% (23.68, range 14.6-38.3). No significant association was seen between fever and hospitalization (1.31, range 0.9-1.8). SatO₂ < 93% was associated to tachycardia in all ages (3.62, range 2.09-5.79), so did fever (6.74, range 5.07-8.67). Over half (51.8%) of children with fever showed tachycardia, 22.8% of afebrile cases were associated to this symptom. Discussion: Risk of hospitalization is higher if a child is younger than 6 months oíd, with Oxygen Saturation below 93% or Triage level < 2. Over 600 children presented tachycardia (33%); none progressed to Shock even with SatO₂ < 93% or Triage level < 2. Tachycardia, as an isolated sign, does not appear to be forecast significant hemodynamic change or need to be treated as such.

Palabras clave : Children; emergency room; triage; oxygen saturation; tachycardia; outcome.

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