• 대한응급의학회지
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• 제29권6호
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• pp.595-602
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• 2018

Objective: The Korean Triage and Acuity Scale (KTAS), which was implemented in 2016, needs to be assessed for its validity and reliability. Here we evaluate the relevance of emergency level assessment by analyzing the validity of KTAS as a Korean standardized triage system. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of adults who presented to a local emergency room (ER) during an 18-month period. We compared medical resources used, life-saving interventions performed, length of stay (LOS) in ER, admission rate, and mortality at each KTAS level. Results: Among a total of 40,339 patients, most patients were at KTAS 4 (n=19,532, 48.4%) and the longest median LOS in ER was 450 minutes at KTAS 2. As the KTAS level increased, the percentage of medical resources used and lifesaving interventions performed increased significantly. The odds of total admission and intensive care unit admission were significantly higher at KTAS 1 through 4 compared to those at KTAS 5. The odds related to admission and mortality were also significantly higher at KTAS 3 than at KTAS 4. Conclusion: We concluded that the KTAS, as a Korean standardized triage system of emergency level assessment, is relevant. Further, KTAS 1-3 and KTAS 4-5 are appropriate criteria to distinguish emergency and non-emergency patients.

• 임상간호연구
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.94-102
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine triage nurses' the Korean triage and acuity scale(KTAS) performance ability, perception of importance, education needs and identify the factors influencing triage nurses' the KTAS performance ability. Methods: A descriptive correlational study was conducted among 146 emergency nurses working in 13 hospitals from March to May, 2017. Data were collected utilizing a questionnaire developed to measure performance ability, perception of importance, and educational needs of 192 items of the KTAS. Statistical analysis included t-test, analysis of variance, correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis. Results: The triage nurses' the KTAS performance ability was rated as 3.3/4.0 points, perception of importance as 3.2/4.0 points, and education needs as 3.1/4.0 points. Factors influencing the KTAS performance of the participants were perception of importance, education needs, and work experience at the emergency department, explaining 26.7% of total variance. Conclusion: The KTAS performance ability of triage nurses could be improved through training programs designed to enhance their perception of importance and provide knowledge about the KTAS. Nurses' emergency department work experience needs to be considered as an important factor for the KTAS performance ability.

• 대한응급의학회지
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• 제29권5호
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• pp.391-398
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• 2018

Objective: This study was conducted to analyze and compare the classifications of a prehospital triage system and an in-hospital triage system. Methods: The records of patients transferred from the '119' emergency service for 5 months (from January 1 to May 31, 2016) were collected and records of first aid activities were assessed. We examined cases classified as four (urgent, semi-urgent, potentially urgent, and non-urgent) of five stages, excluding death. In the hospital, data were collected from medical records and classifications made using the five Korean Triage and Acuity Scale (KTAS) stages (1, resuscitation; 2, emergency; 3, urgent; 4, less urgent; and 5, non-urgent) were analyzed. Results: The number of patients enrolled in the study was 3,457. Of them, 2,301 were discharged after treatment and 1,156 were hospitalized. According to the prehospital triage classification, 726 of the 3,457 cases were urgent, 593 were semi-urgent, 1,944 were potentially urgent, and 194 were non-urgent. The results of the in-hospital triage were as follows: 114 KTAS 1 (3.3%), 491 KTAS 2 (14.2%), 1,345 KTAS 3 (38.9%), 1,227 KTAS 4 (35.5%), and 280 KTAS 5 (8.1%). The odds ratio trend for hospitalization showed a larger decrease according to in-hospital staging (95% CI, 0.32-0.39) than according to prehospital staging (95% CI, 0.50-0.60). The odds ratio trend for intensive care unit (ICU) admission also showed a larger decrease according to in-hospital staging (95% CI, 0.16-0.22) than according to prehospital staging (95% CI, 0.37-0.48). Conclusion: We found little correspondence in classifications made according to the KTAS and prehospital triage systems. However, the tendencies toward decreases in the hospitalization and ICU admission rates were similar.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제19권11호
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• pp.626-634
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• 2018

본 연구는 한국형응급환자분류도구(Korean Triage and Acuity Scale: KTAS)를 사용한 소아 중증도 분류의 정확성을 파악하기 위한 후향적 조사연구이다. 연구자료는 2016년 10월부터 2017년 9월까지 1개 권역응급의료센터, 1개 지역응급의료센터에 방문한 소아환자의 자료 중 무작위로 추출한 250건의 간호초진기록지와 진료결과였다. 수집된 자료를 검정된 전문가가 분석하여 true-triage를 정하였다. 중증도 분류 정확도는 응급실간호사의 중증도 분류 결과와 전문가의 true-triage결과와의 일치도로 평가하였다. 전문가 의견에 따라 중증도 분류 오류의 원인이 분석되었고, KTAS 등급과 퇴원, 체류시간, 진료비와의 연관성이 비교되었다. 연구결과 전문가와 응급실 간호사의 중증도 분류 등급은 높은 일치도를 보였다(weighted kappa=.77). 중증도 분류 불일치의 원인 중 활력징후 결과를 KTAS 알고리즘 기준에 잘 못 적용한 경우가 가장 많았다(n=13). KTAS 1,2 등급과 같이 중증도가 높을수록 퇴원이 적었다(${\chi}=43.25$, p<.001). 연령을 보정했을 때 KTAS 등급에 따라 체류시간(F=12.39, p<.001)과 진료비(F=11.78, p<.001)는 차이가 있었다. 본 연구결과 KTAS는 국내 응급실에서 높은 정확도를 보였으므로, 새로 개발된 중증도 분류 도구가 국내 응급실에 잘 적용되고 있다고 할 수 있다.

• 대한간호학회지
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• 제49권2호
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• pp.171-180
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• 2019

Purpose: The Korean Triage and Acuity Scale (KTAS) is a tool used to classify the severity and urgency of emergency department (ED) patients, focusing on their symptoms. In consideration of the importance of the KTAS, a web-based learning program has emerged as a new mode of education; it enables ED triage nurses to access it anytime and anywhere, and according to their own learning abilities. This study aimed to develop a web-based KTAS learning program and evaluate its effects on self-efficacy and triage performance ability in ED nurses. Methods: A quasi-experimental design with a non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest was used. The conceptual framework was Bandura's self-efficacy theory. There were 30 participants in the experimental group and 29 in the control group. The experimental group attended an orientation and 4 sessions of a web-based KTAS learning program. The learning program lasted 280 minutes over five weeks, consisting of 40 minutes of orientation and four 60-minute sessions. Results: The scores of self-efficacy, triage performance ability in KTAS level, and chief complaints significantly increased in the experimental group compared to the control group. In addition, the numbers of under-triage in KTAS significantly decreased in the experimental group in comparison to the control group. Conclusion: The results suggest that the learning program was effective in improving ED nurses' level of self-efficacy and triage performance ability (KTAS level and KTAS chief complaint). Accordingly, the web-based KTAS learning program can be applied as an education intervention to improve ED nurses' triage skill.

• 융합정보논문지
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.98-103
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• 2020

본 연구에서는 KTAS(Korean Triage and Acuity Scale) 결과가 분류를 시행한 주체의 직종에 따른 차이가 있는지를 알아보고자 한다. 2016년 1월 1일부터 2017년 12월 31일까지의 응급의료기관으로 내원한 환자 자료 중, 국가응급진료정보망으로 전송된 자료 총 10,960,359건을 분석하였다. 분류자 직종은 전문의, 전공의, 인턴, 일반의, 간호사, 응급구조사였다. 최초 중증도 분류와 최종 중증도 분류 결과의 일치율은 일반의가 98.9%로 가장 높았고, 인턴이 80.2%로 가장 낮았다. 과대 분류에서는 일반의가 0.6%로 가장 낮았고, 인턴은 16.0%로 가장 높았다. 또한 과소 분류는 전문의와 응급구조사가 0.4%로 가장 낮았고, 인턴이 3.8%로 가장 높았다. 중증도 분류 결과는 직종별 유의미한 차이가 있었다(p<0.001). 중증도 분류는 환자의 예후에 영향을 미치는 요인 중 하나로 직종별, 숙련도에 따라 그 결과가 달라져서는 안 된다. 때문에 정확한 중증도 분류를 위한 분류자의 역량 강화가 필요하다.

• 임상간호연구
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.107-116
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• 2020

Purpose: This study was a prospective survey to evaluate the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale (KTAS) inter-rater reliability and to identify discordant areas in the KTAS classification between nurses and paramedics in emergency department (ED). Methods: Inter-rater reliability were evaluated using triage deta from January 11 to May 31, 2019. A convinience sample of a total of 800 patients who visited an emergnecy medical center in Incheon (400 adult and 400 pediatric patients in this study) were selected. The triages of this study a pair of one nurse and one paramedic performed triage at the same time, using the KTAS, Inter-rater reliability for the KTAS was evaluated with the weighted kappa. Results: The inter-rater reliability of the KTAS evaluated by weighted Kappa between nurse-paramedic KTAS score of adult patients was .71, and .66 for pediatric patients. Both were in the level considered as substantial. Among causes of triage discordance, the most frequently identified discordant item in triaging adults was the difference in the measurement of pain intensity (28.0%). For both adult and pediatric patients, multiple chief complaint was identified as the major discordant factor. In triaging pediatric patients the body temperature assessment by subjective judgments was the highest discordant item (50.7%). Conclusion: The study result suggested that the KTAS demonstrated a reasonable level of inter-rater reliability and functioned as a standardized triage tool for emergency medical services. In order to improve the inter-rater reliability and classification competence, it is necessary to revise the current all-integrated KTAS provider course to be differentiated for each job group.

• 대한응급의학회지
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• 제29권6호
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• pp.616-623
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• 2018

Objective: The shock index (SI), as a trauma triage tool, is a capable clinical indicator of hemodynamic instability and hypovolemic shock, but the conception of SI is contradictory to shock. The reverse shock index (RSI) was introduced recently, but its utility has not been sufficiently proven. Methods: This study examined the RSI utility by evaluating the procedures performed at an emergency department (ED) and the associated outcomes when the RSI is used alone or in combination with the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale (KTAS). This was a retrospective study conducted by including data of 4,789 adult trauma patients for a year. The clinical variables, procedures performed on patients, and outcomes were investigated. The median RSI was 0.9 in the RSI<1 group. Results: Patients in the RSI<1 group had a higher odds of requiring procedures at the ED and for experiencing worse outcomes: intubation (odds ratio [OR], 5.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.3-13.1; P<0.001), chest tube insertion (OR, 6.5; 95% CI, 0.4-111.84; P<0.001), use of emergency drugs (OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.5-8.5; P<0.001), circulatory support (OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 2.3-12.9; P<0.001), intensive care unit admission (OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.8-6.8; P<0.001), and mortality during the ED stay (OR, 20.4; 95% CI, 5.5-75.7; P<0.001). In the group with KTAS 1-3, trends similar to those in the RSI<1 group were observed. Patients with RSI<1 had more severe injuries and poorer outcomes than those with $RSI{\geq}1$, regardless of whether the RSI was used alone or in combination with KTAS. Conclusion: RSI can provide an appropriate triage with concurrent KTAS use.

• 동서간호학연구지
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.91-99
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• 2020

Purpose: The study aims to assess the inter-rater reliability of the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale between the research nurses and the triage nurses. Methods: Interrater reliability was measured on 400 adult (≧15) and 400 pediatric (<15) patients who visited the emergency medical center from January 4 to June 30, 2018. Results: The study result showed that the inter-rater reliability of the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale was substantial, with κ=.73 (95% Confidence interval= .68-.78) and 77.0 percent agreement. The inter-rater of Pediatric Korean Triage and Acuity Scale was also substantial, with κ=.76 (95% Confidence interval= .71-.82) and 83.8 percent agreement. Conclusion: Although the inter-rater reliability of the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale was acceptable, the percent agreement was lower than the desirable level (<80.0%). It was confirmed that Pediatric Korean Triage and Acuity Scale had an acceptable level of inter-rater reliability and percent agreement for clinical use. Efforts should be made to improve the reliability in the future.

• 동서간호학연구지
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.10-20
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• 2022

Purpose: We compared the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale (KTAS), Injury Severity Score (ISS), and Revised Trauma Score (RTS) determined the validity of KTAS for classifying trauma patients. Methods: A retrospective chart review of 10,865 trauma patients (aged ≥15 years) who visited a single regional trauma and emergency medical center from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2020, was conducted. Data were collected from the Korean Trauma Data Bank. Based on KTAS classification, the rates of intensive care unit admission, surgery and intervention, transfusion, emergency room (ER) and hospital mortality, and ER stay time were investigated. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, receiver operating characteristic curve, and area under the ROC curve. Results: In the KTAS, severe trauma patients (ISS ≥16) were classified as Level 1 (79.6%), 2 (44.8%), 3 (15.5%), 4 (4.0%) and 5 (7.6%). The following were the predictive powers of KTAS, ISS, and RTS for different parameters: surgery and intervention rate, KTAS (.71), ISS (.70), and RTS (.63); transfusion rate within 4h, KTAS (.82), ISS (.82), and RTS (.74); ER stay time within 90 min, KTAS (.72), ISS (.62), and RTS (.56); and ER mortality, KTAS (.84), ISS (.72), and RTS (.88). These findings were statistically significant (p<.001). The sensitivity and specificity of KTAS for trauma patients were .88 (.87~.90), and .38 (.37~.39), respectively. Conclusion: KTAS is a useful classification system that can predict the clinical outcomes of patients with trauma, and effectively triage acutely ill trauma patients, thus provide appropriate treatment.