Development of a Pediatric Mass Casualty Triage Algorithm Validation Tool.

AbstractBackground: Rapid, accurate evaluation and sorting of victims in a mass casualty incident (MCI) is crucial, as over-triage of victims may overwhelm a trauma system and under-triage may lead to an increase in morbidity and mortality. At this time, there is no validation tool specifically developed for the pediatric population to test an MCI algorithm's inherent capabilities to correctly triage children. Objective: To develop a set of criteria for outcomes and interventions to be used as a validation tool for testing an MCI algorithm's ability to correctly triage patients from a cohort of pediatric trauma patients. Methods: Expert opinion and literature review was used to formulate an initial Criteria Outcomes Tool (COT) that retrospectively categorizes pediatric (≤14 years of age) MCI victims based on resource utilization and clinical outcomes using the classic Red to Black MCI triage designations: Red - cardiopulmonary or mental status compromise needing intervention, Yellow - stable cardiopulmona...