Comparing the Accuracy of Mass Casualty Triage Systems in a Pediatric Population

AbstractIntroduction: It was previously difficult to compare the accuracy of different mass casualty triage systems to one another. This pilot study is one of the first attempts to operationalize an expert panel’s criterion standard definitions of triage categories in a pediatric population in order to compare accuracy between different systems. Objective: To compare the accuracy of 4 different mass casualty triage systems (SALT, JumpSTART, Triage Sieve, and CareFlight) when used for children. Methods: We observed the emergency department triage of patients less than 18 years old presenting to the only pediatric specialty hospital/Level 1 trauma center in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. A single, certified EMS provider observed each patient’s initial triage in the emergency department and recorded all findings that were necessary to categorize the patient using each of the 4 mass casualty triage systems being studied. Hospital medical records were then reviewed for each patient and assigned a criterion stand...