• I van der Wulp, A J P Schrijvers, and H F van Stel.
• Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, UMC Utrecht, P O Box 85500, Utrecht 3508 GA, The Netherlands. i.vanderwulp@umcutrecht.nl
• Emerg Med J. 2009 Jul 1;26(7):506-9.

ObjectiveTo compare the degree to which the Emergency Severity Index (ESI) and the Manchester Triage System (MTS) predict admission and mortality.MethodsA retrospective observational study of four emergency department (ED) databases was conducted. Patients who presented to the ED between 1 January and 18 July 2006 and were triaged with the ESI or MTS were included in the study.Results37 974 patients triaged with the ESI and 34 258 patients triaged with the MTS were included. The likelihood of admission decreased significantly with urgency categories in both populations, and was greater for patients triaged with the ESI than with the MTS. Mortality rates were low in both populations. Most patients who died were triaged in the most urgent triage categories of both systems.ConclusionBoth the ESI and MTS predicted admission well. The ESI was a better predictor of admission than the MTS. Mortality is associated with urgency categories of both triage systems.

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