Emergency Severity Index (ESI): A Triage Tool for Emergency Departments

Table 4-2. Examples of Resources for ESI Levels 3-5

Scenario	Predicted Resources (ESI Resources in italic)	ESI Triage Category
Right lower quadrant pain: 22-year-old male, right lower quadrant abdominal pain since early this morning, also nausea, and no appetite.	ESI Resources = 2 or more Exam Laboratory studies IV fluid Abdominal CT (possible) Surgery Consult	3
Left lower leg pain 45-year-old obese female with left lower leg pain & swelling which started 2 days ago, after driving in a car for 12 hours	ESI Resources = 2 or more Exam Laboratory studies Lower extremity non-invasive vascular studies (possible) Anticoagulant therapy	3
Ankle injury: Healthy, 19-year-old female who twisted her ankle playing soccer. Edema at lateral malleolus, hurts to bear weight.	ESI Resources = 1 Exam Ankle x-ray Ace wrap Crutch-walking instruction	4
Urinary tract infection symptoms: Healthy, 29-year-old female with UTI symptoms, appears well, afebrile, denies vaginal discharge.	ESI Resources = 1 Exam Urine & urine culture (possible) Urine hCG Prescriptions	4
Poison ivy: Healthy 10-year-old child with 'poison ivy' on extremities.	ESI Resources = none Exam Prescription	5
Prescription refill: Healthy 52-year-old who ran out of blood pressure medication yesterday. BP 150/84. No acute complaints.	ESI Resources = none Exam Prescription	5