Airway, breathing, cellphone: a new vital sign?
Dublin Core
Title
Airway, breathing, cellphone: a new vital sign?
Subject
emergency medicine, triage encompasses more than the initial prioritization of treatment;
Description
Abstract
Introduction In emergency medicine, triage encompasses more than the initial prioritization of treatment; it also
includes decisions about the most suitable level of care and disposition for each patient. However, the increasing
use of mobile technology by patients in the emergency department (ED) introduces a new factor. This study aims to
explore the relationship between patients’ cellphone use at the time of initial assessment and final disposition in the
ED.
Methods A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted on 292 patients who presented to the ED between
9/1/2021 and 8/9/2022. Patients were stratified into two cohorts based on their behavior during the initial assessment:
actively using a cell phone (n=32) or not using a cell phone (n=259). Final disposition was dichotomously recorded
as admission or discharge. Hospital admission, hospital observation, and admission to the ED observation unit were
consolidated into the combined category of admission.
Results Patients not actively using their cell phone on initial assessment exhibited a discharge rate of 64%, while
those engaged with their cellphones displayed notably higher dismissal rates at 94%. The calculated odds ratio (OR)
of 8.4 (95% confidence interval: 1.96-36.0, p=0.004) underscores a significantly heightened likelihood of dismissal
among individuals actively using their cellphones, suggesting a potential association between cellphone use and a
reduced probability of hospital admission.
Conclusion The study suggests an association between cellphone use during initial ED assessment and higher
discharge rates. While this introduces a novel concept, the study’s potential contribution to more informed and
efficient triage decisions warrants careful consideration in future research and clinical applications.
Introduction In emergency medicine, triage encompasses more than the initial prioritization of treatment; it also
includes decisions about the most suitable level of care and disposition for each patient. However, the increasing
use of mobile technology by patients in the emergency department (ED) introduces a new factor. This study aims to
explore the relationship between patients’ cellphone use at the time of initial assessment and final disposition in the
ED.
Methods A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted on 292 patients who presented to the ED between
9/1/2021 and 8/9/2022. Patients were stratified into two cohorts based on their behavior during the initial assessment:
actively using a cell phone (n=32) or not using a cell phone (n=259). Final disposition was dichotomously recorded
as admission or discharge. Hospital admission, hospital observation, and admission to the ED observation unit were
consolidated into the combined category of admission.
Results Patients not actively using their cell phone on initial assessment exhibited a discharge rate of 64%, while
those engaged with their cellphones displayed notably higher dismissal rates at 94%. The calculated odds ratio (OR)
of 8.4 (95% confidence interval: 1.96-36.0, p=0.004) underscores a significantly heightened likelihood of dismissal
among individuals actively using their cellphones, suggesting a potential association between cellphone use and a
reduced probability of hospital admission.
Conclusion The study suggests an association between cellphone use during initial ED assessment and higher
discharge rates. While this introduces a novel concept, the study’s potential contribution to more informed and
efficient triage decisions warrants careful consideration in future research and clinical applications.
Creator
Samuel I. Garcia1,2*, Ashley Jacobson3
, Gregory P. Moore2
, Jesse Frank2
, Wyatt Gifford2
, Samantha Johnson2
,
Donell Lazaro-Paulina4
, Aidan Mullan5
and Alexander S. Finch2
, Gregory P. Moore2
, Jesse Frank2
, Wyatt Gifford2
, Samantha Johnson2
,
Donell Lazaro-Paulina4
, Aidan Mullan5
and Alexander S. Finch2
Source
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-024-00769-0
Date
2024
Contributor
Peri Irawan
Format
PDF
Language
ENGLISH
Type
TEXT
Files
Collection
Citation
Samuel I. Garcia1,2*, Ashley Jacobson3
, Gregory P. Moore2
, Jesse Frank2
, Wyatt Gifford2
, Samantha Johnson2
,
Donell Lazaro-Paulina4
, Aidan Mullan5
and Alexander S. Finch2, “Airway, breathing, cellphone: a new vital sign?,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 26, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/12534.