The Effectiveness of Prehospital Triage Protocols in Identifying Critically Ill Patients in Saudi Arabia: A Comparative Study of Different Triage Systems

Abstract

The objective of this dissertation is to assess the effectiveness of various prehospital triage protocols in identifying critically ill patients within the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) framework in Saudi Arabia. The study is necessitated by the gap in empirical evidence regarding the efficacy of triage systems, which is a cornerstone for delivering timely and appropriate emergency care. The research focused on answering key questions concerning the existing state of prehospital care, the comparative effectiveness of different triage methods, and identifying the most precise and effective protocol. The methodology employed a narrative review approach, following a meticulous protocol to ensure transparency and reliability. A comprehensive search strategy was applied to source relevant literature from various databases such as Scopus, EMBASE, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Data was synthesized using narrative synthesis, given the heterogeneity of the included studies. The study revealed a lack of uniformity in the application of triage protocols in Saudi Arabia's prehospital EMS. Despite efforts by the Ministry of Health to improve emergency services, the results indicate that prehospital care is often inconsistent and unstandardized, raising questions about the quality of EMS. This inconsistency is attributed to cultural preferences for direct hospital admission and the absence of a coherent national triage system. The Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA) remains central to prehospital services but is often bypassed as patients self-refer to Emergency Departments (EDs). The study concludes that Saudi Arabia's EMS faces a crucial need for a standardized, effective triage system. This dissertation recommends that Saudi Arabia invest in research and training to establish a culturally sensitive, reliable, and effective prehospital triage protocol. The study contributes to the understanding of the urgent need for a standardized triage system in Saudi Arabia and suggests a direction for future research in this area.