The Evaluation of Responses and Abilities of 119 EMTs to Perform Pediatric Triage

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the pediatric triage performance of 119 Emergency Medicine Technologists (EMTs) at a fire station, based on mass casualty incident scenarios of a pediatric disaster, and to evaluate effective measures of response. EMTs (N = 58) at a provincial fire station participated in this study and were asked to complete three questionnaires: one ‘general characteristics’ questionnaire, one problem solving questionnaire, consisting of questions based on mass casualty incident scenarios, and a post-questionnaire to explore the necessity of pediatric triage based on their responses. We used SPSS to analyze the data. The EMT-paramedics’ scores were high and statistically significant (<i>p</i> < .002). All 48 questions concerning the three scenarios were converted to a score ranging from 0 to 100 with an average score of 70.92 and an average correct response rate of 70%. We also found that the participants’ rate of recognition of the pediatric triage tool was significantly lower than that of the adult tool (<i>p</i> < .030). The usage rate was also low, at approximately 19.09%. After solving the questionnaire problems, the respondents reported a significantly higher score concerning the necessity of the pediatric triage tools than before (<i>p</i> < .006). Firefighting departments integrate pediatric triage tools into the E-triage system. However, EMTs should receive continuous training and practice to improve their pediatric triage tool classification capabilities.