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. 2021 Oct 15;25(2):95–101. doi: 10.1016/j.cjtee.2021.10.004

Table 2.

Triage early warning score items of patients in both groups.

Variables Assessment tools n (%)
p value
SATS (n = 230) Traditional (n = 115)
Mobility
 Walking 82 (35.7) 16 (13.9) <0.001a
 With help 115 (50.0) 18 (15.7)
 Stretcher/immobile 33 (14.3) 11 (9.6)
 Not assessed 0 (0) 70 (60.9)
RR (breathes/min)
 <9 4 (1.7) 3 (2.6) <0.001a
 9–14 177 (77.0) 2 (1.7)
 15–20 49 (21.3) 0
 Not assessed 0 (0) 110 (95.7)
HR (beats/min)
 <41 4 (1.7) 3 (2.6) <0.001a
 51–100 149 (64.8) 7 (6.1)
 101–110 43 (18.7) 3 (2.6)
 111–129 31 (13.5) 8 (7)
 >129 3 (1.3) 5 (4.3)
 Not assessed 0 (0) 89 (77.4)
SBP (mm Hg)
 <71 5 (2.2) 4 (3.5) <0.001a
 71 – 80 27 (11.7) 11 (9.6)
 81 – 100 49 (21.3) 10 (8.7)
 101 – 199 121 (52.6) 49 (42.6)
 >199 28 (12.2) 16 (13.9)
 Not assessed 0 (0) 25 (21.7)
Temperature (degree)
 Cold (<35) 4 (1.7) 0 (0) <0.001a
 35–38.4 186 (80.9) 19 (16.5)
 Hot (>38.4) 40 (17.4) 13 (11.3)
 Not assessed 0 (0) 83 (72.2)
AVPU
 Confused 33 (14.3) 14 (12.2) <0.001a
 Alert 186 (80.9) 7 (6.1)
 Response to voice 6 (2.6) 3 (2.6)
 Response to pain 1 (0.4) 0 (0)
 Unresponsive 4 (1.7) 1 (0.9)
 Not assessed 0 (0) 90 (78.3)

ap-values are based on Fisher Exact test. Statistical significance at p < 0.05.

SATS: South African triage score; RR: respiration rate; HR: heart rate; SBP: systolic blood pressure; AVPU: assess alert, voice response, painful response and unresponsive.