Data completeness and quality of emergency triage in Ethiopian public tertiary hospitals: A multicenter study

Triage is a system of ranking sick or injured persons according to their severity. Its data is critical for evidence-based action. The aim of this study was to assess the quality and completeness of emergency department triage tool in three tertiary Ethiopian public hospitals.

This study utilized a multicenter cross-sectional design with sample size estimation calculated using a single population proportion formula. Data were collected from multiple sites and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 25. All statistical analyses were conducted to evaluate the completeness of triage documentation.

In a review of 450 client charts from three tertiary hospitals providing acute care, the completeness of triage data varied. Patient name, age, and gender were documented with a completeness of 79.1 %, 77.5 %, and 70.8 %, respectively. The cumulative analysis of the triage early warning score showed, highest recorded completeness was for heart rate (98.4 %), followed closely by respiratory rate (96.0 %). However, significant discrepancies were noted in other areas, such as systolic blood pressure, which had an overall completeness of 87.7 %. Temperature assessment was notably poor, with a cumulative completeness of only 59.3 %. Other parameters, including mobility and AVPU/CNS assessments, showed completeness of 86.4 % each.

This study identifies significant inconsistencies in triage documentation completeness across three Ethiopian hospitals, highlighting an urgent need for interventions. Standardized triage scales and continuous professional development focusing on documentation are crucial to enhance patient safety and optimize care delivery.