A comparison of a formal triage scoring system and a quick-look triage approach.

BACKGROUND: Emergency Department (ED) triage systems have become increasingly comprehensive over time, requiring ever more resources such as nursing time and computer support. There are very few studies that have looked at whether this increased complexity results in improved performance. OBJECTIVES: This study looked at one aspect of performance, comparing reliability of triage nurses' (TNs) triage scores utilizing a simple quick-look method with a commonly used, resource-intense, five-level triage system. METHODS: This observational study of TNs was carried out in two urban tertiary-care hospital EDs, in real time, assessing patients arriving consecutively. Immediately upon patients' arrival, TNs were asked to assign triage scores based simply on their observation of the patient and the chief complaint. The patient was then triaged in the department's usual way, utilizing a computer-assisted five-level triage system [Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS)]. Agreement between scores was quantified. κ scores were calculated, and weighted by the CTAS score. RESULTS: A total of 496 triage assessments were included. Percent agreement between the quick-look method and the standard CTAS method was 84.5%. κ scores were moderately high. Fourteen patients (2.6%), ultimately classified as CTAS 1 or 2, initially received lower scores from TNs using the quick-look method. No comparison of validity was assessed. CONCLUSION: TNs assigning triage scores to ED patients on arrival, using only chief complaint and observation, were statistically comparable to scores assigned utilizing a resource-intense, comprehensive triage system, but clinically significant discrepancies were identified.

Histologic evaluation of posterior cruciate ligaments from osteoarthritic knees.

It is controversial whether posterior cruciate ligament-retaining or posterior cruciate ligament-sacrificing (-substituting) implants should be used in total knee arthroplasty. The use of posterior cruciate ligament-retaining implants implies that the residual ligament is functional, and presumably normal, but few studies have been conducted to elucidate the histologic appearance of the posterior cruciate ligament taken from osteoarthritic knees. The purposes of the current study were (1) to evaluate the histologic appearance of posterior cruciate ligaments excised from osteoarthritic knees during primary total knee arthroplasty and to compare their appearance with posterior cruciate ligaments from knees of cadavers that were not operated on; and (2) to determine whether a correlation exists between the histologic appearance of the posterior cruciate ligament and the clinical status of the patients studied. Twenty-six posterior cruciate ligament specimens from patients with osteoarthritis and four specimens from cadavers were evaluated with the use of light and electron microscopy. Posterior cruciate ligaments from osteoarthritic knees showed greater degeneration than those from cadavers by light microscopy. Age greater than 60 years was associated with decreased collagen diameter in posterior cruciate ligaments from osteoarthritic knees as determined by electron microscopy. With the number of specimens available, the authors could not find a significant correlation between tibiofemoral alignment and mean collagen diameter or percentage of collagen occupancy. The extent of tissue degeneration of the posterior cruciate ligament could not be predicted by clinical findings. Additional studies identifying the mechanical competency of the posterior cruciate ligament in osteoarthritis would be valuable.