[Multicenter study of the validity of the Sistema Centralizado de Triaje Pediátrico (STPED)]

This study was conducted to determine the indirect validity of the Sistema Centralizado de Triaje Pediátrico (STPED) -the computer version of the Sistema de Triaje Pediátrico del Hospital Gregorio Marañón (TRIPED-GM)- in eight pediatric emergency departments of the Community of Madrid.

It is a retrospective observational multicenter study. A sample of patients (<18 years) attending triaje from October 2021 to October 2022, for any reason, was randomly selected. The validity of STPED was assessed by analyzing the association between priority level (1 [maximum]- 5 [minimum]) and use of resources utilization (number of complementary tests, procedures, or treatments; need for observation or admissions; mean length of stay [LOS]) with a regression model. A subgroup analysis of secondary and tertiary hospitals was performed. The R software version 4.3.3 was used.

A total of 542 patients were analyzed. For each unit increase in priority, the probability of performing a complementary test, procedure or receiving treatment increased 1.83-fold (Incidence Rate Ratio: 1.83; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.66-2.02; p<0.001), the need for observation, 6 (Odds Ratio: 6.07; 95% CI: 4.10-9.22; p<0.001) and the need for admission, almost 5 (Odds Ratio: 4.93; 95% CI: 2.97-8.43; p<0.001). The LOS increased by 69minutes (beta: 69; 95% CI: 44-95; p<0.001). The relationship between resource use and priority was higher in tertiary hospitals.

The results confirm the indirect validity of STPED, especially in tertiary hospitals. Studies in other regions are needed to ratify these findings.