Verbal dyspnoea score predicts emergency department departure status in patients with shortness of breath: Original Research

Abstract

Objectives: We examined whether a previously validated verbal dyspnoea rating scale, and/or other demographic and clinical parameters, could predict ED departure status, among ED patients presenting with shortness of breath. Methods: In this prospective observational study, a convenience sample of patients presenting to an inner urban adult tertiary hospital ED with shortness of breath were assessed at triage using objective and subjective breathlessness parameters. These included respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, heart rate, systolic blood pressure and verbal dyspnoea scores. A verbal dyspnoea score for worst dyspnoea during the current episode and basic demographic and presentation char..