The ATS categories, MWT and ATS clinical descriptors that match descriptors of the consensus definition of severe sepsis
| ATS category and MWT | ATS clinical descriptors that match the consensus definition descriptors of severe sepsis |
|---|---|
| ATS 1: immediately life-threatening— MWT nil requires immediate attention | Cardiac arrest Respiratory arrest Immediate risk to airway—impending arrest RR<10/min Extreme respiratory distress BP<80 (adult) or severely shocked child/infant Unresponsive or responds to pain only (GCS<9) Ongoing/prolonged seizure |
| ATS 2: imminently life-threatening— MWT 10 min important time-critical treatment or very severe pain deteriorating rapidly | Airway risk—severe stridor or drooling with distress Severe respiratory distress Circulatory compromise Clammy or mottled skin, poor perfusion HR<50 or >150 (adult) Hypotension with haemodynamic effects Very severe pain—any cause BGL<2 mmol/L Drowsy, decreased responsiveness any cause (GCS<13) Fever with signs of lethargy |
| ATS 3: potentially life-threatening or important time-critical treatment or severe pain, deterioration noted MWT 30 min | Moderate shortness of breath SaO2 90%–95% BGL >16 mmol/L Seizure (now alert) Any fever if immunosuppressed, for example, oncology patient, steroid Rx Persistent vomiting Dehydration Moderately severe pain—any cause—requiring analgesia Chest pain likely non-cardiac and moderate severity Abdominal pain without high risk features—moderately severe or patient age >65 years |
| ATS 4: potentially life-serious or situational urgency or significant complexity MWT 60 min | Foreign body aspiration, no respiratory distress Difficulty swallowing, no respiratory distress Moderate pain, some risk features Vomiting or diarrhoea without dehydration Swollen ‘hot’ joint Non-specific abdominal pain |
| ATS 5: less urgent. MWT 125 min | Minimal pain with no high risk features Low-risk history and now asymptomatic Minor symptoms of existing stable illness Minor symptoms of low-risk conditions Minor wounds—small abrasions, minor lacerations (not requiring sutures) |
ATS, Australasian Triage Scale; BGL, blood glucose level; BP, systolic BP; MWT, maximum waiting time; Rx, treatment.