Objective Effective triage of febrile patients in the emergency department is crucial during times of overcrowding to prioritize care and allocate resources, especially during pandemics. However, available triage tools often require laboratory data and lack accuracy. We aimed to develop a simple and accurate triage tool for febrile patients by modifying the quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score.
Methods We retrospectively analyzed data from 7,303 febrile patients and created modified versions of qSOFA using factors identified through multivariable analysis. The performance of these modified qSOFAs in predicting in-hospital mortality and intensive care unit (ICU) admission was compared using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC).
Results Through multivariable analysis, the identified factors were age (“A” factor), male sex (“M” factor), oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry (SpO2; “S” factor), and lactate level (“L” factor). The AUROCs of ASqSOFA (in-hospital mortality: 0.812 [95% confidence interval, 0.789–0.835]; ICU admission: 0.794 [95% confidence interval, 0.771–0.817]) were simple and not inferior to those of other more complex models (e.g., ASMqSOFA, ASLqSOFA, and ASMLqSOFA). ASqSOFA also displayed significantly higher AUROC than other triage scales, such as the Modified Early Warning Score and Korean Triage and Acuity Scale. The optimal cutoff score of ASqSOFA for the outcome was 2, and the score for redistribution to a lower level emergency department was 0.
Conclusion We demonstrated that ASqSOFA can be employed as a simple and efficient triage tool for emergency febrile patients to aid in resource distribution during overcrowding. It also may be applicable in prehospital settings for febrile patient triage.
Yong Nam In, Se Kwang Oh, Jin Hong Min, Jung Soo Park, Yeon Ho You, Insool Yoo, Seung Whan Kim, Jinwoong Lee, Seung Ryu, Won Joon Jeong, Yong Chul Cho, Hong Joon Ahn, Chang Shin Kang
Clin Exp Emerg Med 2023;10(2):241-245. Published online February 24, 2023
Objective We evaluated the utility of the Korean Modified Early Warning Score (KMEWS), which combines the Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) and the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale (KTAS), as a triage tool to screen for infection in patients who visit the emergency department.
Methods We retrospectively reviewed data extracted from electronic medical records. Patients aged ≥18 years with an infection who were admitted to the hospital via the emergency department between January 2018 and December 2019 were eligible for inclusion. The KMEWS score was calculated as the sum of the KTAS level and the MEWS score. We generated receiver operating characteristic curves and determined the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for the KMEWS, KTAS, MEWS, and Mortality in Emergency Department Sepsis (MEDS) scales. The primary outcome was septic shock, and secondary outcomes were intensive care unit admission and in-hospital mortality.
Results The AUC values (95% confidence interval) for predicting septic shock were as follows: KMEWS, 0.910 (0.902–0.918); MEWS, 0.896 (0.887–0.904); KTAS score, 0.809 (0.798–0.819); and MEDS, 0.927 (0.919–0.934). The AUC values (95% confidence interval) for predicting in-hospital mortality were as follows: KMEWS, 0.752 (0.740–0.764); MEWS, 0.717 (0.704–0.729); KTAS score, 0.764 (0.752–0.776); and MEDS, 0.844 (0.834–0.854). The AUC values (95% confidence interval) for predicting intensive care unit admission were as follows: KMEWS, 0.826 (0.816–0.837); MEWS, 0.782 (0.770–0.793); KTAS score, 0.821 (0.810–0.831); and MEDS, 0.839 (0.829–0.849).
Conclusion The KMEWS, which is a combination of the MEWS and the KTAS scores, might be a useful triage tool in emergency department patients who present with infection, particularly for predicting septic shock.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Evaluating the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) in triage: A machine learning perspective Arian Zaboli, Francesco Brigo, Serena Sibilio, Magdalena Massar, Gabriele Magnarelli, Gloria Brigiari, Gianni Turcato International Emergency Nursing.2025; 80: 101602. CrossRef
Development and validation of a transformer model-based early warning score for real-time prediction of adverse outcomes in the emergency department Hansol Chang, Jong Eun Park, Daehwan Lee, Kiwon Lee, Se Yong Jekal, Ki Tae Moon, Sejin Heo, Doyeop Kim, Gun Tak Lee, Sung Yeon Hwang, Won Chul Cha, Wonhee Kim, Tae Ho Lim, Tae Gun Shin Scientific Reports.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Association between initial patient acuity and the predictive performance of the MREMS: A nationwide retrospective cohort study Álvaro Astasio-Picado, José Luis Martín-Conty, Begoña Polonio-López, Cristina Rivera-Picón, Alberto López Ballesteros, Alberto José Aragón Granados, Diego Villalobos Buitrago, Paula Álvarez Buitrago, Samanta Diaz-Gonzalez, Juan Dueñas-Ruiz, Francisco Mart The American Journal of Emergency Medicine.2025; 97: 84. CrossRef
Predictive validity of resource-adjusted Korean Triage and Acuity Scale in pediatric gastrointestinal tract foreign body patients Jin Hee Lee, Jin Hee Jung, Hyun Noh, Mi Jin Kim Scientific Reports.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
A model study for the classification of high-risk groups for cardiac arrest in general ward patients using simulation techniques Seok Young Song, Won-Kee Choi, Sanggyu Kwak Medicine.2023; 102(37): e35057. CrossRef
Kyoung-Jun Song, Sun Young Lee, Gyu Chong Cho, Giwoon Kim, Jung-Youn Kim, Jaehoon Oh, Je Hyeok Oh, Seung Ryu, Seung Mok Ryoo, Eun-Ho Lee, Sung Oh Hwang, Ju Young Hong, Sung Phil Chung
Clin Exp Emerg Med 2021;8(S):S15-S25. Published online May 21, 2021
Assessment of Basic Life Support Skills of Early Middle School Students in Turkey Gülşah Çıkrıkçı Işık, Serkan Şahin, Süeda Zaman The Journal of Emergency Medicine.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
2024 Systematic Review of Evidence-Based Guidelines for Prehospital Care Christian Martin-Gill, P. Daniel Patterson, Christopher T. Richards, Anjali J. Misra, Benjamin T. Potts, Rebecca E. Cash Prehospital Emergency Care.2025; 29(6): 703. CrossRef
Individualized decision making in on-scene resuscitation time for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest using reinforcement learning Dong Hyun Choi, Min Hyuk Lim, Ki Jeong Hong, Young Gyun Kim, Jeong Ho Park, Kyoung Jun Song, Sang Do Shin, Sungwan Kim npj Digital Medicine.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Left ventricle segmentation in transesophageal echocardiography images using a deep neural network Seungyoung Kang, Sun Ju Kim, Hong Gi Ahn, Kyoung-Chul Cha, Sejung Yang, Xiyu Liu PLOS ONE.2023; 18(1): e0280485. CrossRef
Modification of termination of resuscitation rule with compression time interval in South Korea Song Yi Park, Daesung Lim, Ji Ho Ryu, Yong Hwan Kim, Byungho Choi, Sun Hyu Kim Scientific Reports.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Ventricle tracking in transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) images during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) using deep learning and monogenic filtering Honggi Ahn, Sun Ju Kim, Seungyoung Kang, Junghun Han, Sung Oh Hwang, Kyoung-Chul Cha, Sejung Yang Biomedical Engineering Letters.2023; 13(4): 715. CrossRef
Development of an automatic device performing chest compression and external defibrillation: An animal-based pilot study Young-Il Roh, Woo Jin Jung, Hyeon Young Im, Yujin Lee, Dahye Im, Kyoung-Chul Cha, Sung Oh Hwang, Luigi La Via PLOS ONE.2023; 18(7): e0288688. CrossRef
The Influence of Cardiac Arrest Floor-Level Location within a Building on Survival Outcomes Chiwon Ahn, Young Taeck Oh, Yeonkyung Park, Jae Hwan Kim, Sojune Hwang, Moonho Won Journal of Personalized Medicine.2023; 13(8): 1265. CrossRef
Optimal Landmark for Chest Compressions during Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Derived from a Chest Computed Tomography in Arms-Down Position Pimpan Usawasuraiin, Borwon Wittayachamnankul, Boriboon Chenthanakij, Juntima Euathrongchit, Phichayut Phinyo, Theerapon Tangsuwanaruk Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease.2022; 9(4): 100. CrossRef
Neurologic outcomes of prehospital mechanical chest compression device use during transportation of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients: a multicenter observational study Chanhong Min, Dong Eun Lee, Hyun Wook Ryoo, Haewon Jung, Jae Wan Cho, Yun Jeong Kim, Jae Yun Ahn, Jungbae Park, You Ho Mun, Tae Chang Jang, Sang-chan Jin Clinical and Experimental Emergency Medicine.2022; 9(3): 207. CrossRef
The Effects of Fatigue on Rescuers due to Wearing Level D Personal Protective Equipment while Performing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Hee-Jeong Ahn, Gyung-Jae Oh, Gyu-Sik Shim Fire Science and Engineering.2022; 36(4): 58. CrossRef
Objective Patients are often transported within the hospital, especially in cases of critical illness for which computed tomography (CT) is performed. Since increased transport time increases the risks of complications, reducing transport time is important for patient safety. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of our newly invented device, the Easy Tube Arrange Device (ETAD), to reduce transport time for CT evaluation in cases of critical illness.
Methods This prospective randomized control study included 60 volunteers. Each participant arranged five or six intravenous fluid lines, monitoring lines (noninvasive blood pressure, electrocardiography, central venous pressure, arterial catheter), and therapeutic equipment (O2 supply device, Foley catheter) on a Resusci Anne mannequin. We measured transport time for the CT evaluation by using conventional and ETAD method.
Results The median transport time for CT evaluation was 488.50 seconds (95% confidence interval [CI], 462.75 to 514.75) and, 503.50 seconds (95% CI, 489.50 to 526.75) with 5 and 6 fluid lines using the conventional method and 364.50 seconds (95% CI, 335.00 to 388.75), and 363.50 seconds (95% CI, 331.75 to 377.75) with ETAD (all P<0.001). The time differences were 131.50 (95% CI, 89.25 to 174.50) and 148.00 (95% CI, 116.00 to 177.75) (all P<0.001).
Conclusion The transport time for CT evaluation was reduced using the ETAD, which would be expected to reduce the complications that may occur during transport in cases of critical illness.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Management of Patient Tubes and Lines During Early Mobility in the Intensive Care Unit Ellen Benjamin, Lindsey Roddy, Karen K. Giuliano Human Factors in Healthcare.2022; : 100017. CrossRef
Objective Critically ill patients sometimes require transport to another location. Longer intra-hospital transport time increases the risk of hemodynamic instability and associated complications. Therefore, reducing intra-hospital transport time is critical. Our objective was to evaluate whether or not a new device the easy tube arrange device (ETAD) has the potential to reduce intra-hospital transport time of critically ill patients.
Methods We enrolled volunteers for this prospective randomized controlled study. Each participant arranged four, five, and six fluid tubings, monitoring lines, and therapeutic equipment on a cardiopulmonary resuscitation training mannequin (Resusci Anne). The time required to arrange the fluid tubings for intra-hospital transport using two different methods was evaluated.
Results The median time to arrange four, five, and six fluid tubings was 86.00 (76.50 to 98.50), 96.00 (86.00 to 113.00), and 115.50 (93.00 to 130.75) seconds, respectively, using the conventional method and 60.50 (52.50 to 72.75), 69.00 (57.75 to 80.80), and 72.50 (64.75 to 90.50) seconds using the ETAD (all P<0.001). The total duration (for preparing the basic setting and organizing before and after the transport) was 280.00 (268.75 to 293.00), 315.50 (304.75 to 330.75), and 338.00 (319.50 to 360.25) seconds for four, five, and six fluid tubings, respectively, using the conventional method and 274.50 (261.75 to 289.25), 288.00 (271.75 to 298.25), and 301.00 (284.50 to 310.75) seconds, respectively, using the new method (P=0.024, P<0.001, and P<0.001, respectively).
Conclusion The ETAD was convenient to use, reduced the time to arrange medical tubings, and is expected to assist medical staff during intra-hospital transport.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Management of patient tubes and lines during early mobility in the intensive care unit Ellen Benjamin, Lindsey Roddy, Karen K. Giuliano Human Factors in Healthcare.2022; 2: 100017. CrossRef
Intrahospital transport of critically ill patients: A survey of emergency nurses Yingli Hu, Donglei Shi, Lili You, Wei Li Nursing in Critical Care.2021; 26(5): 326. CrossRef
A fully automated inpatient transport system Joseph Mendlovic, Eli Gargir, David E. Katz Technology and Health Care.2021; 29(5): 1049. CrossRef
Improving quality and safety during intrahospital transport of critically ill patients: A critical incident study Lina Bergman, Monica Pettersson, Wendy Chaboyer, Eric Carlström, Mona Ringdal Australian Critical Care.2020; 33(1): 12. CrossRef
Is it possible to reduce intra-hospital transport time for computed tomography evaluation in critically ill cases using the Easy Tube Arrange Device? Kyung Hyeok Song, Sung Uk Cho, Jin Woong Lee, Yong Chul Cho, Won Joon Jeong, Yeon Ho You, Seung Ryu, Seung Whan Kim, In Sool Yoo, Ki Hyuk Joo Clinical and Experimental Emergency Medicine.2018; 5(1): 14. CrossRef
Objective We investigated whether patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) due to an acute myocardial infarction without cardiogenic shock required higher doses of vasopressors with low targeted temperature management (TTM) after return of spontaneous circulation.
Methods We included consecutive comatose patients resuscitated from OHCA between January 2011 and December 2013. Patients with return of spontaneous circulation, regional wall motion abnormality on echocardiography, and coronary artery stenosis of ≥70% on percutaneous coronary artery angiography were enrolled. These patients received 36°C TTM or 33°C TTM following approval of TTM by patients’ next-of-kin (36°C and 33°C TTM groups, respectively). The cumulative vasopressor index was compared between groups.
Results During induction phase, dose of vasopressors did not differ between groups. In the maintenance phase, the norepinephrine dose was 0.37±0.57 and 0.26±0.91 µg·kg-1·min-1 in the 33°C and 36°C TTM groups, respectively (P<0.01). During the rewarming phase, the norepinephrine and dopamine doses were 0.49±0.60 and 9.67±9.60 mcg·kg-1·min-1 in the 33°C TTM group and 0.14±0.46 and 3.13±7.19 mcg·kg-1·min-1 in the 36°C TTM group, respectively (P<0.01). The median cumulative vasopressor index was 8 (interquartile range, 3 to 8) and 4 (interquartile range, 0 to 8) in the 33°C and 36°C TTM groups, respectively (P=0.03).
Conclusion In this study, patients with OHCA due to acute myocardial infarction without cardiogenic shock had an elevated vasopressor requirement with 33°C TTM compared to 36°C TTM during the maintenance and rewarming phases.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Survival, but not the severity of hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy, is associated with higher mean arterial blood pressure after cardiac arrest: a retrospective cohort study Sandra Preuß, Jan Multmeier, Werner Stenzel, Sebastian Major, Christoph J. Ploner, Christian Storm, Jens Nee, Christoph Leithner, Christian Endisch Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Saline versus Plasma Solution-A in Initial Resuscitation of Patients with Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Randomized Clinical Trial Jae-Hyug Woo, Yong Su Lim, Jin Seong Cho, Hyuk Jun Yang, Jae Ho Jang, Jea Yeon Choi, Woo Sung Choi Journal of Clinical Medicine.2023; 12(15): 5040. CrossRef
Study on the timing of severe blood-brain barrier disruption using cerebrospinal fluid-serum albumin quotient in post cardiac arrest patients treated with targeted temperature management Jung Soo Park, Yeonho You, Jin Hong Min, Insool Yoo, Wonjoon Jeong, Yongchul Cho, Seung Ryu, Jinwoong Lee, Seung Whan Kim, Sung Uk Cho, Se Kwang Oh, Hong Joon Ahn, Junwan Lee, In Ho Lee Resuscitation.2019; 135: 118. CrossRef
Optimal timing to measure optic nerve sheath diameter as a prognostic predictor in post-cardiac arrest patients treated with targeted temperature management Jung Soo Park, Yongchul Cho, Yeonho You, Jin Hong Min, Wonjoon Jeong, Hong Joon Ahn, Changshin Kang, Insool Yoo, Seung Ryu, Jinwoong Lee, Seung Whan Kim, Sung Uk Cho, Se Kwang Oh, Junwan Lee, In Ho Lee Resuscitation.2019; 143: 173. CrossRef
The Relationship Between the Decreased Rate of Initial Blood Glucose and Neurologic Outcomes in Survivors of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Receiving Therapeutic Hypothermia Jae-Hyug Woo, Yong Su Lim, Hyuk Jun Yang, Sung Youl Hyun, Jin Seong Cho, Jin Joo Kim, Gun Lee Neurocritical Care.2017; 26(3): 402. CrossRef