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This article has a correction

Please see: Emerg Med J 2006;23:663

Emerg Med J 2006;23:313-317 doi:10.1136/emj.2005.026435
  • Prehospital care

Evaluation of a risk score for interhospital transport of critically ill patients

  1. C Markakis1,
  2. M Dalezios2,
  3. C Chatzicostas2,
  4. A Chalkiadaki1,
  5. K Politi3,
  6. P J Agouridakis1
  1. 1ICU, General Hospital of Rethymnon, Crete, Greece
  2. 2Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of Rethymnon, Crete, Greece
  3. 3Department of Anaesthesiology, General Hospital of Rethymnon, Crete, Greece
  1. Correspondence to:
 Dr P J Agouridakis
 48 G Georgiadou Street, 71305, Heraklion, Crete, Greece; www.icughor@in.gr
  • Accepted 10 October 2005

Abstract

Background: Interhospital transfer imposes essential risk for critically ill patients. The Risk Score for Transport Patients (RSTP) scale can be used as a triage tool for patient severity.

Methods: In total, 128 transfers of critically ill patients were classified in two groups of severity according to the RSTP. Statistical analysis was performed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and goodness of fit statistics.

Results: In total, 66 patients (51.5%) were classified as group I and 62 (48.4%) as group II. Major en route complications were more common in group II patients (19.3% v 3%, p<0.001). Haemodynamic instability was the most common complication. There were significant differences in the mean risk scores between group I and II patients (mean (SD) 4.48 (1.01) v 11.04 (3.47), p<0.001). Discrimination power of RSTP was acceptable (area under the ROC curve 0.743; cutoff value ≥8). Goodness of fit was adequate (p = 0.390).

Conclusion: The RSTP had acceptable discrimination and adequate goodness of fit and could be considered as a triage tool. Haemodynamic instability is the most common problem encountered during transfer.

Footnotes

  • Funding: none

  • Competing interests: none declared

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