Pediatr Emerg Med J.  2017 Dec;4(2):97-101. 10.22470/pemj.2017.00108.

Association between the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale level and hospitalization of children with abdominal pain in the emergency department

• Kim S
• Woo SH
• Choi KH
• Oh YM
• Choi SM
• Kyong YY

• KMID: 2402335
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.22470/pemj.2017.00108

Abstract

PURPOSE
The Korean Triage and Acuity Scale (KTAS) is a triage tool for patients in the emergency department (ED). We aimed to investigate the association between the KTAS level and hospitalization of children with abdominal pain, a common chief complaint in the ED.
METHODS
This study retrospectively reviewed medical records of children aged 3 to 14 years who visited the ED with abdominal pain as a chief complaint. KTAS level (1-3 vs. 4-5), age, gender, presence of associated symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, hematochezia, and fever), and disposition (rapid discharge, discharge after intravenous hydration, and hospitalization) were collected and compared between the children with KTAS 1-3 and 4-5.
RESULTS
Of 1,050 children enrolled, 618 (58.9%) were classified as KTAS 1-3, and 36 (3.4%) were hospitalized. Vomiting was the most common associated symptom in both groups (63.6%), and 41.5% underwent discharge after intravenous hydration. The children with KTAS 1-3 were more frequently hospitalized (5.0% vs. 1.2%, P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
The KTAS may be reliable to predict the hospitalization of children with abdominal pain in the ED with additional consideration of the associated symptoms.

Keyword

Abdominal Pain; Critical Illness; Emergency Medicine; Pediatrics; Triage

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain*
Child*
Critical Illness
Diarrhea
Emergencies*
Emergency Medicine
Emergency Service, Hospital*
Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage
Hospitalization*
Humans
Medical Records
Pediatrics
Retrospective Studies
Triage*
Vomiting