J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2021 Feb;32(1):69-76.

Appropriateness of Korean Triage and Acuity Scale-based triage system for dizziness without neurologic symptoms

• Son SW
• Min MK
• Ryu JH
• Lee D
• Lee MJ
• Chun M
• Hyun TG
• Wang IJ
• Han SK

Abstract

Objective
This study aimed to identify the appropriateness of the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale (KTAS) for dizziness without neurological symptoms, which was level 3.
Methods
Using the registry of the National Emergency Department Information System (NEDIS), data regarding consecutive emergency patients from January 2016 to July 2018, who were aged 15 years and older, were reviewed retrospectively. The data were classified using KTAS and Dizziness KTAS level 3 were compared with non-dizziness KTAS level 3 including age, total admission rate, intensive care unit (ICU) admission rate, discharge rate, hospital cost, and length of stay in the emergency department (length of stay [LOS]).
Results
Of the 76,153 emergency patients, 345 (0.5%) had a KTAS level 1, 4,593 (6.0%) had a KTAS level 2, 21,561 (28.3%) had a KTAS level 3, 45,390 (59.6%) had a KTAS level 4, and 4,264 (5.6%) had a KTAS level 5. As the patient’s triage score decreased, the total admission rate, ICU admission rate, hospital cost, and LOS decreased. Patients discharged to home also had the same result. Dizziness KTAS level 3 had a significantly lower rate of total admission (23% vs. 56.2%, P<0.001) and ICU admission (0.9% vs. 6.2%, P<0.001) compared with non-dizziness KTAS level 3. On the other hand, the hospital cost and LOS were higher when patients were discharged to their home. The predictors of the admission rate of dizziness KTAS level 3 were the transportation method using a private ambulance service and older age, but older age was only slightly associated.
Conclusion
This study showed that KTAS level 3 for dizziness needs to be adjusted because of lower severity than other level 3. Old age and the transportation method should be considered factors.

Keyword

Korean Triage and Acuity Scale; Dizziness; Triage; Emergency department