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Review
. 2022 Feb;40(2):577-583.
doi: 10.1007/s00345-021-03871-7. Epub 2021 Nov 11.

The development and application of a triage system for urolithiasis during COVID-19

Gang Chen  1 , Hongyan Ren  2
Affiliations
Review

The development and application of a triage system for urolithiasis during COVID-19

Gang Chen et al. World J Urol. 2022 Feb.

Abstract

Purpose: To balance epidemic prevention with the therapeutic needs of patients with urolithiasis during the COVID-19 pandemic, we developed a triage system to guide medical staff in making priority decisions.

Methods: The study began with a review of the literature to propose a theoretical framework. Then, focus groups were assembled to develop, supplement, refine and form a consensus on the indications of the triage system. Finally, the system was implemented in the clinic. The validity and reliability of the system were tested by a content validity index and the interrater reliability kappa coefficient. Changes in patient characteristics and waiting time before and after the epidemic were compared.

Results: The theoretical framework was based on disease pathophysiology, including obstruction, infection, kidney dysfunction, and other symptoms. With this guide, a 28-item triage system with categories of T1-5 (low priority to urgent) was developed. The content validity index and the interrater reliability coefficient were 0.833 and 0.812, respectively. During clinical application, although the total number of patients remained steady, the proportion of T1 decreased significantly; even though the overall waiting time of patients did not change significantly, it increased for T1 and decreased for T2-4 in 2020 compared with 2019 (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: This triage tool based on the dimensions of obstruction, infection, kidney dysfunction, and other symptoms has good psychometric properties and significant utility for prioritizing patients with urolithiasis during times of crisis. With this system, patients of moderate to high priority were treated promptly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: Acute kidney impairment; COVID-19; Chronic kidney failure; Hydronephrosis; Psychological tests; Triage; Urolithiasis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
A three-dimensional matrix in which infection, obstruction and kidney dysfunction can be expected to influence the outcome of urolithiasis solely or mutually
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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