Remote Triage of General Surgery Patients in Freestanding Emergency Departments: Low Undertriage and Overtriage Rates

During a 6-year analysis, this study examined the outcomes of general surgery patients who received remote triage and disposition in freestanding emergency departments. Of the 1,105 patients, 15% were discharged home, 27% were transferred to trauma centers, and 58% were transferred to community hospitals. Patients admitted to trauma centers were older and had higher acuity pathology, while those admitted to community hospitals had higher operative rates with shorter lengths of stay and lower 30-day readmission and mortality rates. The study found low rates of undertriage and overtriage, indicating appropriate triage practices.