Clinical evaluation of primary human papillomavirus (HPV) testing with extended HPV genotyping triage for cervical cancer screening: A pooled analysis of individual patient data from nine population-based cervical cancer screening studies from China.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical values of extended human papillomavirus (HPV) genotyping in triage of high-risk HPV-positive women, focusing on the trade-off between cervical precancer detections and colposcopy referrals. METHODS: A bivariate random-effects model was used to estimate the diagnostic accuracy of primary HPV screening with following triage strategies to detect cervical precancers: (i) partial genotyping for HPV16/18 combined with cytological testing at atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance threshold (used as the comparator), (ii) genotyping for HPV16/18/58/52, (iii) genotyping for HPV16/18/58/52/33, (iv) genotyping for HPV16/18/58/33/31, (v) genotyping for HPV16/18/58/52/33/31, and (vi) genotyping for HPV16/18/58/52/33/31/39/51. Internal risk benchmarks for clinical management were used to evaluate the risk stratification of each triage strategy. RESULTS: A total of 16,982 women (mean age 46.1 years, range 17-69) were included in this analysis. For CIN3+ detection, triage with HPV16/18/58/33/31 genotyping achieved lower positivity (6.85% vs. 7.35%, p = 0.001), while maintaining similar sensitivity (91.35% vs. 96.42%, p = 0.32) and specificity (94.09% vs. 93.67%, p = 0.56) compared with the comparator strategy. Similar patterns were observed for CIN2+ detection. Women with a positive HPV16/18/58/33/31 genotyping test had high enough risk for CIN3+ for colposcopy referral, while the risk for women with a negative test was below the 1-year return decision threshold according to internal benchmarks. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggested extended HPV genotyping is of potential to be used as a triage technique integrated into HPV-based cervical cancer screening, leading to reduced need for colposcopy referral while maintaining similar disease detection and efficient risk stratification.

Analysis of the diagnostic performance of PAX1/SOX1 gene methylation in cervical precancerous lesions and its role in triage diagnosis.

Methylation panels, tools for investigating epigenetic changes associated with diseases like cancer, can identify DNA methylation patterns indicative of disease, providing diagnostic or prognostic insights. However, the application of methylation panels focusing on the sex-determining region Y-box 1 (SOX1) and paired box gene 1 (PAX1) genes for diagnosing cervical lesions is under-researched. This study aims to examine the diagnostic performance of PAX1/SOX1 gene methylation as a marker for cervical precancerous lesions and its potential application in triage diagnosis. From September 2022 to April 2023, 181 patients with abnormal HPV-DNA tests or cytological exam results requiring colposcopy were studied at Hubei Maternal and Child Health Hospital, China. Data were collected from colposcopy, cytology, HPV-DNA tests, and PAX1/SOX1 methylation detection. Patients were categorized as control, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia Grade 1 (CIN1), Grade 2 (CIN2), Grade 3 (CIN3), and cervical cancer (CC) groups based on histopathology. We performed HPV testing, liquid-based cytology, and PAX1/SOX1 gene methylation testing. We evaluated the diagnostic value of methylation detection in cervical cancer using DNA methylation positivity rate, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC), and explored its potential for triage diagnosis. PAX1/SOX1 methylation positivity rates were: control 17.1%, CIN1 22.5%, CIN2 100.0%, CIN3 90.0%, and CC 100.0%. The AUC values for PAX1 gene methylation detection in diagnosing CIN1+, CIN2+, and CIN3+ were 0.52 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.43-0.62), 0.88 (95% CI: 0.80-0.97), and 0.88 (95% CI: 0.75-1.00), respectively. Corresponding AUC values for SOX1 gene methylation detection were 0.47 (95% CI: 0.40-0.58), 0.80 (95% CI: 0.68-0.93), and 0.92 (95% CI: 0.811-1.00), respectively. In HPV16/18-negative patients, methylation detection showed sensitivity of 32.4% and specificity of 83.7% for CIN1+. For CIN2+ and CIN3+, sensitivity was all 100%, with specificities of 83.0% and 81.1%. Among the patients who underwent colposcopy examination, 166 cases had cytological examination results ≤ASCUS, of which 37 cases were positive for methylation, and the colposcopy referral rate was 22.29%. PAX1/SOX1 gene methylation detection exhibits strong diagnostic efficacy for cervical precancerous lesions and holds significant value in triage diagnosis.

Quality improvement initiative: improving obstetric triaging practices in a rural maternal hospital in central India.

Triaging of obstetric patients by emergency care providers is paramount. It helps provide appropriate and timely management to prevent further injury and complications. Standardised trauma acuity scales have limited applicability in obstetric triage. Specific obstetric triage index tools improve maternal and neonatal outcomes but remain underused. The aim was to introduce a validity-tested obstetric triage tool to improve the percentage of correctly triaged patients (correctly colour-coded in accordance with triage index tool and attended to within the stipulated time interval mandated by the tool) from the baseline of 49% to more than 90% through a quality improvement (QI) process.A team of nurses, obstetricians and postgraduates did a root cause analysis to identify the possible reasons for incorrect triaging of obstetric patients using process flow mapping and fish bone analysis. Various change ideas were tested through sequential Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles to address issues identified.The interventions included introduction and application of an obstetric triage index tool, training of triage nurses and residents. We implemented these interventions in eight PDSA cycles and observed outcomes by using run charts. A set of process, output and outcome indicators were used to track if changes made were leading to improvement.Proportion of correctly triaged women increased from the baseline of 49% to more than 95% over a period of 8 months from February to September 2020, and the results have been sustained in the last PDSA cycle, and the triage system is still sustained with similar results. The median triage waiting time reduced from the baseline of 40 min to less than 10 min. There was reduction in complications attributable to improper triaging such as preterm delivery, prolonged intensive care unit stay and overall morbidity. It can be thus concluded that a QI approach improved obstetric triaging in a rural maternity hospital in India.

Can artificial intelligence help ED nurses more accurately triage patients?

ABSTRACT: The Emergency Severity Index (ESI) is the most popular tool used to triage patients in the US and abroad. Evidence has shown that ESI has its limitations in correctly assigning acuity. To address this, AI can be incorporated into the triage process, decreasing the likelihood of assigning an incorrect ESI level.

Digitalisation of information and management optimisation in Multiple Victim Incidents. Analytical study.

INTRODUCTION: Triage is a crucial tool for managing a Multiple Victim Incident (MVI). One particularly problematic issue is the communication of results to the chain of command and control. Favourable data exists to suggest that digital triage can improve some features of analogue triage. Within this context we have witnessed the emergence of the Valkyries Project, which is working to develop strategies to respond to MVIs, and especially cross-border incidents. To that end, an IT platform called "SIGRUN" has been created which distributes, in real time, all the information to optimise MVI management. A full-scale simulation, held on the Spain-Portugal border and featuring contributions from different institutions on both sides of the border, put to the test the role of information digitalisation in this type of incidents. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of the synchronous digitalisation of information on the optimal management of Multiple Victim Incidents. METHOD: Clinical evaluation study carried out on a cross-border simulation between Spain and Portugal. A Minimum Data Set (MDS) was established by means of a modified Delphi by a group of experts. The digital platform "SIGRUN" integrated all the information, relaying it in real time to the chain of command and control. Each country assigned two teams that would carry out digital and analogue triage synchronously. Analogue triage variables were gathered by observers accompanying the first responders. Digital triage times were recorded automatically. Each case was evaluated and classified simultaneously by the two participating teams, to carry out a reliability study in a real time scenario. RESULTS: The total duration of the managing of the incident in the A group of countries involved compared to the B group was 72.5 minutes as opposed to 73 minutes. The total digital assistance triage (AT) time was 37.5 seconds in the digital group, as opposed to 32 minutes in the analogue group. Total evacuation (ET) time was 28 minutes in the digital group compared with 65 minutes in the analogue group. The average differences in total times between the analogue and the digital system, both for primary and secondary evaluation, were statistically significant: p = 0.048 and p = 0.000 respectively. For the "red" category, AT obtained a sensitivity of 100%, also for ET, while with regard to AT safety it obtained a PPV of 61.54% and an NPV of 100%, and for ET it obtained a PPV of 83.33% and an NPV of 100%. For the analogue group, for AT it obtained a sensitivity of 62.50%, for ET, 70%, for AT safety it obtained a PPV of 45.45% and an NPV of 92.31%, while for ET it obtained a PPV of 70% and an NPV of 92.50%. The gap analysis obtained a Kappa index of 0.7674. CONCLUSION: The triage system using the developed digital tool demonstrated its validity compared to the analogue tool, as a result of which its use is recommended.

Enhancing HIV positivity yield in southern Mozambique: The effect of a Ministry of Health training module in targeted provider-initiated testing and counselling.

In Mozambique, targeted provider-initiated HIV testing and counselling (PITC) is recommended where universal PITC is not feasible, but its effectiveness depends on healthcare providers' training. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a Ministry of Health training module in targeted PITC on the HIV positivity yield, and identify factors associated with a positive HIV test. We conducted a single-group pre-post study between November 2018 and November 2019 in the triage and emergency departments of four healthcare facilities in Manhiça District, a resource-constrained semi-rural area. It consisted of two two-month phases split by a one-week targeted PITC training module ("observation phases"). The HIV positivity yield of targeted PITC was estimated as the proportion of HIV-positive individuals among those recommended for HIV testing by the provider. Additionally, we extracted aggregated health information system data over the four months preceding and following the observation phases to compare yield in real-world conditions ("routine phases"). Logistic regression analysis from observation phase data was conducted to identify factors associated with a positive HIV test. Among the 7,102 participants in the pre- and post-training observation phases (58.5% and 41.5% respectively), 68% were women, and 96% were recruited at triage. In the routine phases with 33,261 individuals (45.8% pre, 54.2% post), 64% were women, and 84% were seen at triage. While HIV positivity yield between pre- and post-training observation phases was similar (10.9% (269/2470) and 11.1% (207/1865), respectively), we observed an increase in yield in the post-training routine phase for women in triage, rising from 4.8% (74/1553) to 7.3% (61/831) (Yield ratio = 1.54; 95%CI: 1.11-2.14). Age (25-49 years) (OR = 2.43; 95%CI: 1.37-4.33), working in industry/mining (OR = 4.94; 95%CI: 2.17-11.23), unawareness of partner's HIV status (OR = 2.50; 95%CI: 1.91-3.27), and visiting a healer (OR = 1.74; 95%CI: 1.03-2.93) were factors associated with a positive HIV test. Including these factors in the targeted PITC algorithm could have increased new HIV diagnoses by 2.6%. In conclusion, providing refresher training and adapting the current targeted PITC algorithm through further research can help reach undiagnosed PLHIV, treat all, and ultimately eliminate HIV, especially in resource-limited rural areas.

Evaluation of a Conference on Cancer-Related Financial and Legal Issues: A Potential Resource to Counter Financial Toxicity.

This study describes the conception, development, and growth of the Triage Cancer Conference hosted by Triage Cancer, a national nonprofit organization providing free legal and financial education to the cancer community. We conducted a retrospective analysis of post-conference participant surveys. Descriptive statistics were calculated for participant demographics, and acceptability, feasibility, and appropriateness were evaluated. From 2016-2021, 1239 participants attended the conference and completed post-conference surveys. Participants included social workers (33%), nurses (30%), and cancer patients/survivors (21%), with representation from over 48 states. Among those who reported race, 16% were Black, and 7% were Hispanic. For acceptability, more than 90% of participants felt that the conference content, instructors, and format were suitable and useful. For feasibility, more than 90% of participants felt that the material was useful, with 93-96% reporting that they were likely to share the information and 98% reporting that they would attend another triage cancer event. Appropriateness was also high, with >80-90% reporting that the sessions met the pre-defined objectives. Triage Cancer fills an important gap in mitigating financial toxicity, and formal evaluation of these programs allows us to build evidence of the role and impact of these existing resources. Future research should focus on adding validated patient-reported outcomes, longer-term follow-up, and ensuring inclusion and evaluation of outcome metrics among vulnerable populations.

[Phone triage in primary care practices]. / Triage téléphonique en cabinet de médecine de famille.

In primary care medicine for adult or pediatric populations, phone calls from patients or parents are common. The variety of questions is broad, going from simple administrative requests to life-threatening emergencies. The safety of the patient is the main priority when answering these calls. In opposition to emergency departments in hospitals where numerous well-defined triage systems (for example, Swiss Emergency Triage Scale), including clinical exam with vital signs, have been used, it is difficult to find practical guidelines for a safe and efficient phone triage in medical practices. Swiss pediatricians already use a triage book to help them assess the need for emergency care for their young patients. A similar type of resource would be helpful for a safe management of calls in adult medicine.

En cabinet de médecine de famille, adulte ou pédiatrique, les appels téléphoniques de patients ou de leurs proches sont nombreux. Leurs questions sont variées, allant de la simple requête administrative à l'urgence vitale. La sécurité du patient reste la priorité principale dans les réponses apportées lors de ces appels. Contrairement aux systèmes d'urgences hospitalières utilisant de multiples échelles de tri comprenant un examen clinique de base avec signes vitaux (par exemple, Échelle suisse de tri), il existe peu de stratégies pour un triage efficace et sûr en médecine de cabinet. Les pédiatres suisses utilisent actuellement un guide au triage téléphonique visant à cibler correctement les besoins urgents de soins pour leurs jeunes patients. Un équivalent pour la médecine adulte serait une aide supplémentaire pour une prise en charge en toute sécurité.

Pulmonary Embolism Triage: When to Do What.

Anticoagulation has been the standard therapy for treating pulmonary embolism. However, newly developed pharmacological and interventional treatment options have been shown to provide benefit for certain patient populations, depending on how they present. This column highlights the use of massive pulmonary embolism risk stratification in determining the presence of cor pulmonale and offers several key points to remember when caring for patients with a pulmonary embolism.

The accuracy of prehospital triage decisions in English trauma networks - a case-cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Care for injured patients in England is provided by inclusive regional trauma networks. Ambulance services use triage tools to identify patients with major trauma who would benefit from expedited Major Trauma Centre (MTC) care. However, there has been no investigation of triage performance, despite its role in ensuring effective and efficient MTC care. This study aimed to investigate the accuracy of prehospital major trauma triage in representative English trauma networks. METHODS: A diagnostic case-cohort study was performed between November 2019 and February 2020 in 4 English regional trauma networks as part of the Major Trauma Triage Study (MATTS). Consecutive patients with acute injury presenting to participating ambulance services were included, together with all reference standard positive cases, and matched to data from the English national major trauma database. The index test was prehospital provider triage decision making, with a positive result defined as patient transport with a pre-alert call to the MTC. The primary reference standard was a consensus definition of serious injury that would benefit from expedited major trauma centre care. Secondary analyses explored different reference standards and compared theoretical triage tool accuracy to real-life triage decisions. RESULTS: The complete-case case-cohort sample consisted of 2,757 patients, including 959 primary reference standard positive patients. The prevalence of major trauma meeting the primary reference standard definition was 3.1% (n=54/1,722, 95% CI 2.3 - 4.0). Observed prehospital provider triage decisions demonstrated overall sensitivity of 46.7% (n=446/959, 95% CI 43.5-49.9) and specificity of 94.5% (n=1,703/1,798, 95% CI 93.4-95.6) for the primary reference standard. There was a clear trend of decreasing sensitivity and increasing specificity from younger to older age groups. Prehospital provider triage decisions commonly differed from the theoretical triage tool result, with ambulance service clinician judgement resulting in higher specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Prehospital decision making for injured patients in English trauma networks demonstrated high specificity and low sensitivity, consistent with the targets for cost-effective triage defined in previous economic evaluations. Actual triage decisions differed from theoretical triage tool results, with a decreasing sensitivity and increasing specificity from younger to older ages.

Critical Care in the Austere Environment.

Practice of critical care in austere settings involves navigating rapidly evolving environments, where physical resources, provider availability, and healthcare capacity are constrained. Austere Critical Care focuses on maintaining the highest standard of care possible for patients while also identifying resource limitations, responding to patient surges, and adhering to proper triage practices at the austere site. This includes transferring the patient when able and necessary. This article describes the current practice of critical care medicine in the austere environment, using recent natural disasters, pandemics, and conflicts as case studies.

In-Hospital Triage.

The intensive care unit (ICU) is a finite and expensive resource with demand not infrequently exceeding capacity. Understanding ICU capacity strain is essential to gain situational awareness. Increased capacity strain can influence ICU triage decisions, which rely heavily on clinical judgment. Having an admission and triage protocol with which clinicians are very familiar can mitigate difficult, inappropriate admissions. This article reviews these concepts and methods of in-hospital triage.

Aeromedical Transport for Critically Ill Patients.

Aeromedical transport (AMT) is an integral part of healthcare systems worldwide. In this article, the personnel and equipment required, associated safety considerations, and evidence supporting the use of AMT is reviewed, with an emphasis on helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS). Indications for HEMS as guideded by the Air Medical Prehospital Triage Score are presented. Lastly, physiologic considerations, which are important to both AMT crews and receiving clinicians, are reviewed.

Rapid Response Systems.

The hospital rapid response system (RRS) is a patient safety and quality intervention that responds quickly to clinical deteriorations on general wards with the goal of preventing cardiopulmonary arrests, reducing hospital mortality, and facilitating triage and level of care escalations. The RRS is one of the first organized, and systematic, elements of the "ICU without walls" model. RRSs have been shown to be effective in preventing deterioration to cardiopulmonary arrest on general hospital wards and reducing total and unexpected hospital mortality. Recent studies have demonstrated that this benefit can be enhanced through targeted improvements and modifications of existing RRSs.

Pediatric Critical Care Referrals for Tertiary Inpatient and Transport Services in Canada's Maritime Provinces: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: Accurate triage of children referred for tertiary pediatric critical care services is crucial to ensure optimal disposition and resource conservation. We aimed to explore the characteristics and level of care needs of children referred to tertiary pediatric critical care inpatient and transport services and the characteristics of referring physicians and hospitals to which these children present. METHODS: We conducted a 1-year retrospective cohort study of children (< 16 years) with documented referral to pediatric critical care and specialized transport services at a tertiary pediatric hospital from regional (24/7 pediatrician on-call coverage) and community (no pediatric specialty services) hospitals in Canada's Maritime provinces. RESULTS: We identified 205 documented referrals resulting in 183 (89%) transfers; 97 (53%) were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Of 150 children transferred from centers with 24/7 pediatric specialist coverage, 45 (30%) were admitted to the tertiary hospital pediatric medical unit with no subsequent admission to the PICU. Of 20 children transferred from community hospitals and admitted to the tertiary hospital general pediatric medical unit, 9 (45%) bypassed proximate regional hospitals with specialist pediatric care capacity. The specialized pediatric critical care transport team performed 151 (83%) of 183 interfacility transfers; 83 (55%) were admitted to the PICU. CONCLUSION: One third of the children accepted for interfacility transfer after pediatric critical care referral were triaged to a similar level of care as could be provided at the sending or nearest regional hospital. Improved utilization of pediatric expertise in regional hospitals may reduce unnecessary pediatric transports and conserve valuable health care resources.

Patient safety incidents in Irish general practice during the COVID-19 pandemic: an exploratory practice level analysis.

BACKGROUND: Patient safety is defined as the prevention of harm to patients and aims to prevent errors. This analysis explores factors associated with the reported occurrence of patient safety incidents (PSIs) in general practices in Ireland at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: The PRICOV-19 was a cross-sectional study to record the (re)organisation of care provided in general practice and changes implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic in 38 countries. Primary outcomes include three potential scenarios of PSIs: delayed care due to practice factors, delayed care due to patient factors, and delayed care due to triage. Exploratory variables included demographic and organisational characteristics, triage, collaboration, and strategies to safeguard staff members' well-being. RESULTS: Of the 172 participating Irish general practices, 71% (n = 122) recorded at least one potential PSI. The most frequent incident was delayed care due to patient factors (65%), followed by practice (33%) and triage (30%). Multivariate analysis showed that delayed care due to patient factors was associated with changes in the process of repeat prescriptions (OR 6.7 [CI 95% 2.5 to 19.6]). Delayed care due to practice factors was associated with suburbs/small towns (OR 4.2 [1.1 to 19.8]) and structural changes to the reception (OR 3.5 [1.2 to 11.4]). While delayed care due to patient factors was associated with having a practice population of 6000-7999 patients (OR 4.7 [1.1 to 27.6]) and delayed care due to practice factors was associated with having a practice population of 2000-3999 patients (OR 4.2 [1.2 to 17.1]). No linear associations were observed with higher or lower patient numbers for any factor. Delayed care due to triage was not associated with any exploratory variables. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in dramatic changes in the delivery of care through general practices in Ireland. Few factors were associated with the reported occurrence of PSIs, and these did not show consistent patterns. Sustained improvements were made in relation to repeat prescriptions. The lack of consistent patterns, potentially confirms that the autonomous decisions made in general practice in response to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic could have benefitted patient safety (See Graphical abstract).

The Jerusalem tribune collapse incident: Challenges in the management of a pediatric mass casualty incident.

OBJECTIVES: Children comprise up to 30-50 percent of all disaster victims. Pediatric disaster medicine is a poorly established field, and most protocols are designed without adequate emphasis on the special needs of the pediatric population. During the 2021 Shavuot holiday in Israel, the collapse of temporary steel bleachers in a partially constructed synagogue resulted in a mass casualty incident (MCI) with a majority of pediatric casualties. This study analyzed the differences in post-incident casualty management, treatment, and outcomes in three Jerusalem medical centers. METHODS: Multicenter retrospective data were collected from two tertiary level 1 trauma centers and one secondary hospital in Jerusalem. The data included demographics, triage scores, injury mechanisms, medical workups, and the management of the pediatric patients. RESULTS: A total of 171 children and adolescents aged 9-18 years presented to three centers. In two institutions, the triage was performed by a senior emergency medicine physician, and in the third institution, by a senior trauma physician. Different protocols were applied, resulting in significant differences in triage, identification and documentation, admission strategies, adherence, and analgesic treatment. Most patients presented with orthopedic injuries (115/171, 67 percent). A small number had head, chest, abdominal, and multisystem injuries (11, 5, 2, and 2 percent, respectively). CONCLUSION: Pediatric MCI management presents specific challenges. The lack of consistency in triage, registry, and management highlights the need for robust pediatric MCI training programs.

Leveraging graph neural networks for supporting automatic triage of patients.

Patient triage is crucial in emergency departments, ensuring timely and appropriate care based on correctly evaluating the emergency grade of patient conditions. Triage methods are generally performed by human operator based on her own experience and information that are gathered from the patient management process. Thus, it is a process that can generate errors in emergency-level associations. Recently, Traditional triage methods heavily rely on human decisions, which can be subjective and prone to errors. A growing interest has recently been focused on leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to develop algorithms to maximize information gathering and minimize errors in patient triage processing. We define and implement an AI-based module to manage patients' emergency code assignments in emergency departments. It uses historical data from the emergency department to train the medical decision-making process. Data containing relevant patient information, such as vital signs, symptoms, and medical history, accurately classify patients into triage categories. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm achieved high accuracy outperforming traditional triage methods. By using the proposed method, we claim that healthcare professionals can predict severity index to guide patient management processing and resource allocation.

The potential of virtual triage AI to improve early detection, care acuity alignment, and emergent care referral of life-threatening conditions.

Objective: To evaluate the extent to which patient-users reporting symptoms of five severe/acute conditions requiring emergency care to an AI-based virtual triage (VT) engine had no intention to get such care, and whose acuity perception was misaligned or decoupled from actual risk of life-threatening symptoms. Methods: A dataset of 3,022,882 VT interviews conducted over 16 months was evaluated to quantify and describe patient-users reporting symptoms of five potentially life-threatening conditions whose pre-triage healthcare intention was other than seeking urgent care, including myocardial infarction, stroke, asthma exacerbation, pneumonia, and pulmonary embolism. Results: Healthcare intent data was obtained for 12,101 VT patient-user interviews. Across all five conditions a weighted mean of 38.5% of individuals whose VT indicated a condition requiring emergency care had no pre-triage intent to consult a physician. Furthermore, 61.5% intending to possibly consult a physician had no intent to seek emergency medical care. After adjustment for 13% VT safety over-triage/referral to ED, a weighted mean of 33.5% of patient-users had no intent to seek professional care, and 53.5% had no intent to seek emergency care. Conclusion: AI-based VT may offer a vehicle for early detection and care acuity alignment of severe evolving pathology by engaging patients who believe their symptoms are not serious, and for accelerating care referral and delivery for life-threatening conditions where patient misunderstanding of risk, or indecision, causes care delay. A next step will be clinical confirmation that when decoupling of patient care intent from emergent care need occurs, VT can influence patient behavior to accelerate care engagement and/or emergency care dispatch and treatment to improve clinical outcomes.