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Sort and Sieve: Pre-Triage Screening of Patients with Suspected COVID-19 in the Emergency Department

Author

Listed:
  • Kirsten R.C. Hensgens

    (VieCuri Medical Centre, Department of Emergency Medicine, 5912 BL Venlo, The Netherlands
    VieCuri Medical Centre, Department of Intensive Care, 5912 BL Venlo, The Netherlands)

  • Inge H.T. van Rensen

    (VieCuri Medical Centre, Department of Emergency Medicine, 5912 BL Venlo, The Netherlands)

  • Anita W. Lekx

    (VieCuri Medical Centre, Department of Emergency Medicine, 5912 BL Venlo, The Netherlands)

  • Frits H.M. van Osch

    (VieCuri Medical Centre, Department of Clinical Epidemiology, 5912 BL Venlo, The Netherlands
    School of Nutrition and Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands)

  • Lieve H.H. Knarren

    (VieCuri Medical Centre, Department of Internal Medicine, T5912 BL Venlo, The Netherlands)

  • Caroline E. Wyers

    (School of Nutrition and Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
    VieCuri Medical Centre, Department of Internal Medicine, T5912 BL Venlo, The Netherlands)

  • Joop P. van den Bergh

    (School of Nutrition and Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
    VieCuri Medical Centre, Department of Internal Medicine, T5912 BL Venlo, The Netherlands)

  • Dennis G. Barten

    (VieCuri Medical Centre, Department of Emergency Medicine, 5912 BL Venlo, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Introduction. To reduce the risk of nosocomial transmission, suspected COVID-19 patients entering the Emergency Department (ED) were assigned to a high-risk (ED) or low-risk (acute medical unit, AMU) area based on symptoms, travel and contact history. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of our pre-triage screening method and to analyse the characteristics of initially undetected COVID-19 patients. Methods. This was a retrospective, observational, single centre study. Patients ≥ 18 years visiting the AMU-ED between 17 March and 17 April 2020 were included. Primary outcome was the (correct) number of COVID-19 patients assigned to the AMU or ED. Results. In total, 1287 patients visited the AMU-ED: 525 (40.8%) AMU, 762 (59.2%) ED. Within the ED group, 304 (64.3%) of 473 tested patients were COVID-19 positive, compared to 13 (46.4%) of 28 tested patients in the AMU group. Our pre-triage screening accuracy was 63.7%. Of the 13 COVID-19 patients who were initially assigned to the AMU, all patients were ≥65 years of age and the majority presented with gastro-intestinal or non-specific symptoms. Conclusion. Older COVID-19 patients presenting with non-specific symptoms were more likely to remain undetected. ED screening protocols should therefore also include non-specific symptoms, particularly in older patients.

Suggested Citation

  • Kirsten R.C. Hensgens & Inge H.T. van Rensen & Anita W. Lekx & Frits H.M. van Osch & Lieve H.H. Knarren & Caroline E. Wyers & Joop P. van den Bergh & Dennis G. Barten, 2021. "Sort and Sieve: Pre-Triage Screening of Patients with Suspected COVID-19 in the Emergency Department," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-11, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:17:p:9271-:d:627836
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    References listed on IDEAS

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