Characteristics of Category C patients in the intervention group for whom a triage decision was recorded
| Variable | Patients triaged as requiring an ambulance (n=305) | Patients triaged as not requiring an ambulance (n=330) | Significance of difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age, mean, range (SD) | (n=303) | (n=330) | |
| 48.6 y, 0.5–98 (29.3) | 40.7 y, 0.08–94 (27.1) | ||
| 0–15 y | 48 (15.8%) | 60 (18.2%) | χ2=13.3, p<0.01 |
| 16–60 y | 133 (43.9%) | 182 (55.2%) | |
| 60+ y | 122 (40.3%) | 88 (26.7%) | |
| Men | 141 (46%) | 112 (34%) | χ2=9.9, p<0.01 |
| Women | 164 (54%) | 218 (66%) | |
| Problem presented: | (n=278) | (n=299) | χ2=22.1, p<0.001 |
| Neurological/head injury | 24 (8.6%) | 22 (7.4%) | |
| Falls/accidents | 140 (50.4%) | 97 (32.4%) | |
| Sick/unknown | 60 (21.6%) | 95 (31.8%) | |
| Back pain/abdominal pain | 40 (14.4%) | 61 (20.4%) | |
| Other | 14 (5%) | 24 (8%) | |
| Care received: | (n=304) | (n=325) | |
| Not conveyed to A&E: | 55 (%) | 119 (%) | |
| Assistance at scene only | 41 (13.5%) | 43 (13.2%) | |
| Seen by GP | 9 (3.0%) | 47 (14.5%) | |
| Self care | 3 (1.0%) | 25 (7.7%) | |
| Other | 2 (0.7%) | 4 (1.2%) | |
| Attended A&E: | 249 (81.9%) | 206 (63.4%) | χ2=26.9, p<0.001 |
| A&E outcome: | χ2=7.1, df=2, p<0.05 | ||
| Admitted to inpatient bed | 47 (15.5%) | 30 (9.2%) | |
| Discharged | 118 (38.8%) | 117 (36.0%) | |
| Referred to outpatient clinic | 30 (9.9%) | 13 (4.0%) | |
| Outcome not recorded | 13 (4.3%) | 17 (5.2%) | |
| Notes missing | 35 (11.5%) | 23 (7.1%) | |
| Other | 6 (2.0%) | 6 (1.8%) |