Article

An evaluation of the Triage Early Warning Score in an urban accident and emergency department in KwaZulu-Natal

Published in: South African Family Practice
Volume 56 , issue 1 , 2014 , pages: 69–73

DOI: 10.1080/20786204.2014.10844586

Author(s): DK Naidoo Addington Hospital Department of Family Medicine, , S Rangiah Department of Family Medicine, , SS Naidoo College of Family Physicians of South Africa,

Keywords: Triage Early Warning Score , emergency unit , evaluation , urban

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Abstract

Objective: Triage is an essential first step in the efficient and effective running of any emergency department. A good triage tool saves lives and reduces mortality. The Triage Early Warning Score (TEWS) is a useful tool used to identify patients in emergency departments who are at risk of deterioration and who may require admission. As this triage tool has only been evaluated to a limited extent, this study assessed its effectiveness in identifying patients at risk of early deterioration to enable timely medical intervention.

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