@article{ref1,
title="Major incident triage: a consensus based definition of the essential life-saving interventions during the definitive care phase of a major incident",
journal="Injury",
year="2016",
author="Vassallo, James and Smith, Jason E. and Bruijns, Stevan R. and Wallis, Lee A.",
volume="47",
number="9",
pages="1898-1902",
abstract="INTRODUCTION: Triage is a key principle in the effective management of major incidents. The process currently relies on algorithms assigning patients to specific triage categories; there is, however, little guidance as to what these categories represent. Previously, these algorithms were validated against injury severity scores, but it is accepted now that the need for life-saving intervention is a more important outcome. However, the definition of a life-saving intervention is unclear. The aim of this study was to define what constitutes a life-saving intervention, in order to facilitate the definition of an adult priority one patient during the definitive care phase of a major incident. <br><br>METHODS: We conducted a modified Delphi study, using a panel of subject matter experts drawn from the United Kingdom and Republic of South Africa with a background in Emergency Care or Major Incident Management. The study was conducted using an online survey tool, over three rounds between July and December 2013. A four point Likert scale was used to seek consensus for 50 possible interventions, with a consensus level set at 70%. <br><br>RESULTS: 24 participants completed all three rounds of the Delphi, with 32 life-saving interventions reaching consensus. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a consensus definition of what constitutes a life-saving intervention in the context of an adult, priority one patient during the definitive care phase of a major incident. The definition will contribute to further research into major incident triage, specifically in terms of validation of an adult major incident triage tool.<br><br>Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0020-1383",
doi="10.1016/j.injury.2016.06.022",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2016.06.022"
}