Most emergency departments (EDs) perform an initial risk stratification of patients, called triage. Triage defines the process of systematically grouping patients according to their treatment priority on the base of algorithms in an environment with scarce health care resources. To this date no gold standard in triage risk stratification has been established. Most of the existing triage systems rely on the measurement of vital signs and a list of chief complaints. All of these systems have their shortcomings, especially in nonspecific ED presentations and in older patients. The primary objective of this study is hospitalization, ICU-admission and mortality in correlation with abuse of elderly and caregiver burden.~In this national single centre, prospective, consecutive, observational all-comers study patients entering the ED undergo triage and will be verbally informed about the study.~After triage, patients are transferred to the treatment unit. Patients in need of immediate therapy, such as analgesia, will receive therapy before start of the interview. Patients will then be approached by a member of the study personnel and will be first asked which symptoms are you experiencing at the moment?. The question will be repeated 3 times, Answers will be recorded by ticking boxes in the CRF for a predefined list of 37 symptoms. Second, patients will be asked which of the symptoms you reported is most important to you?. Patients of 65 years and older will be asked an additional questionnaire by the study team: Patients will be asked about their current living situation; living at home independently, living at home with help by family members or professional services, and living in a retirement or nursing home.~Follow-up to assess 30-day and 1-year mortality rate and date of death will start one year after the end of the inclusion period.
This study is to evaluate a tool capable of improved risk prediction regarding the 30-day mortality. The primary objective of this study is hospitalization, ICU-admission and mortality in correlation with abuse of elderly and caregiver burden.