Jurnal Internasional vol.12 issue 1 2022
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Epidemiological profile and performance of triage decision-making process of COVID-19 suspected cases in southern Tunisia
Dublin Core
Title
Jurnal Internasional vol.12 issue 1 2022
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Epidemiological profile and performance of triage decision-making process of COVID-19 suspected cases in southern Tunisia
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Epidemiological profile and performance of triage decision-making process of COVID-19 suspected cases in southern Tunisia
Subject
COVID-19
Epidemiology
Score
Triage
Trends
Epidemiology
Score
Triage
Trends
Description
Introduction: During an epidemic, screening processes can play a crucial role in limiting the spread of the
infection. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological profile of COVID-19 suspected cases and to
evaluate the performance of the triage process in predicting COVID-19 in Southern Tunisia.
Methods: It was a prospective study including all patients consulting to the Hedi Chaker University Hospital
departments from March to June 2020. A clinical triage score (CTS) was used to assess the risk of the infection
and to refer patients to the appropriate part of the facility accordingly.
Results: Overall, 862 patients were enrolled, among whom 505 patients (58.6%) were classified as suspected
cases (CTS ≥4). Of these, 46.9% (n = 237) were of mild form. Samples were collected from 215 patients (24.9%),
among whom five were COVID-19 positive, representing a positive rate of 2.3%. The in-hospital cumulative
incidence rate of COVID-19 was 580/100000 patients. The total daily incidence decreased significantly during
the study period (p < 0.001, chi-square for linear trend = 25.6). At a cut-off of four, the CTS had a sensitivity of
40%, a specificity of 32.4%, and negative and positive predictive values of 95.8% and 1.4%, respectively.
Discussion: Although the triage process based on the CTS was not as performant as the RT-PCR, it was crucial to
interrupt virus spread among hospitalized patients in “COVID-19-free departments”.
infection. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological profile of COVID-19 suspected cases and to
evaluate the performance of the triage process in predicting COVID-19 in Southern Tunisia.
Methods: It was a prospective study including all patients consulting to the Hedi Chaker University Hospital
departments from March to June 2020. A clinical triage score (CTS) was used to assess the risk of the infection
and to refer patients to the appropriate part of the facility accordingly.
Results: Overall, 862 patients were enrolled, among whom 505 patients (58.6%) were classified as suspected
cases (CTS ≥4). Of these, 46.9% (n = 237) were of mild form. Samples were collected from 215 patients (24.9%),
among whom five were COVID-19 positive, representing a positive rate of 2.3%. The in-hospital cumulative
incidence rate of COVID-19 was 580/100000 patients. The total daily incidence decreased significantly during
the study period (p < 0.001, chi-square for linear trend = 25.6). At a cut-off of four, the CTS had a sensitivity of
40%, a specificity of 32.4%, and negative and positive predictive values of 95.8% and 1.4%, respectively.
Discussion: Although the triage process based on the CTS was not as performant as the RT-PCR, it was crucial to
interrupt virus spread among hospitalized patients in “COVID-19-free departments”.
Creator
Maissa Ben Jmaa , Houda Ben Ayed , Mondher Kassis , Mariem Ben Hmida , Maroua Trigui , Hanen Maamri , Nouha Ketata , Sourour Yaich , Jihene Trabelsi , Yosra Mejdoub , Manel Turki , Chakib Marrakchi , Sami Kammoun , Mounir Ben Jemaa , Habib Feki , Jamel Damak
Source
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.afjem.2021.10.001
Date
9 October 2021
Contributor
peri irawan
Format
pdf
Language
english
Type
text
Files
Citation
Maissa Ben Jmaa , Houda Ben Ayed , Mondher Kassis , Mariem Ben Hmida , Maroua Trigui , Hanen Maamri , Nouha Ketata , Sourour Yaich , Jihene Trabelsi , Yosra Mejdoub , Manel Turki , Chakib Marrakchi , Sami Kammoun , Mounir Ben Jemaa , Habib Feki , Jamel Damak, “Jurnal Internasional vol.12 issue 1 2022
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Epidemiological profile and performance of triage decision-making process of COVID-19 suspected cases in southern Tunisia,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed February 5, 2025, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/1880.
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Epidemiological profile and performance of triage decision-making process of COVID-19 suspected cases in southern Tunisia,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed February 5, 2025, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/1880.