Association between the Manchester Triage System and the final outcome in stroke patients.

Background: Stroke is one of the leading causes of death in Portugal, and the leading cause of disability in older people. Strategies should be established to mitigate damages. Objectives: To establish an association between the priority defined by the Manchester Triage System for stroke patients and the final outcome (discharge/death/hospitalization). Methodolog y: An observational study was conducted to analyze data from the ALERT® software in all stroke patients who were admitted to a Portuguese multipurpose emergency department between 2010 and 2012, in a total of 864 cases. Results: Most patients were triaged with high priority, and the ages differed between men and women. Higher priorities (red and orange) were assigned to older persons and patients who eventually died or were hospitalized (p < 0.001). The Via Verde do AVC program was seldom activated (14%). Conclusion: Inpatients and those who eventually died were triaged with higher priorities. A statistically significant association was found between the highest priorities (red and orange), hospitalization rate, and mortality (p < 0.001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]