Abstract
The Paediatric Observation Priority Score (POPS) is a bespoke assessment tool for use in Paediatric Emergency Departments incorporating traditional physiological parameters alongside more subjective observational criteria. Initial performance characteristics of POPS were analysed in a convenience sample of 936 presentations to ED. Triage on the basis of gut instinct parameters identified an additional 261 patients deemed of lowest acuity compared to analysis by physiology scores. Resource consumption increased with increasing acuity on presentation. POPS shows promise in assisting in the assessment process of children presenting to Emergency Departments. Inclusion of subjective triage criteria helps contextualise the physiological parameter scoring by using the experience of staff conducting triage. Initial interpretation of presenting physiology gives a more informed assessment of initial acuity, and thus is better able to identify a child who can be safely managed in the community. The system also allows for rapid detection of those most unwell.
Highlights
Children with serious illness can be difficult to spot, especially for non-experienced staff
The distribution of initial triage Paediatric Observation Priority Score (POPS) of the attendees is shown in Figure 1. 32% of all patients had a POPS of
Eventual outcome of each patient was analysed by initial POPS at time of presentation (Table 1)
Summary
Children with serious illness can be difficult to spot, especially for non-experienced staff. (2016) The Paediatric Observation Priority Score: A System to Aid Detection of Serious Illness and Assist in Safe Discharge. Determining the relative acuity of children presenting to emergency and urgent care environments has traditionally been on the basis of triage. This is a time based system and does not always accurately reflect the illness or eventual disposition of the patient [2]. In adult practice Early Warnings Scores (EWS)
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