The new tool classifies patients on a range from mild/low risk to critical, based on seven categories of measurement: assessing vital signs, a qCSI calculator, symptoms and risk factors, discharge home criteria, diagnostic testing and suggested labs, imaging and lab results, and the disposition.

By having access to this triage process, physicians are able to better determine the appropriate evaluation and disposition for adult patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.

“COVID-19 presents a significant challenge to emergency physicians and having access to clear and concise steps to triage this condition will enable them to provide the best possible care,” said Sandy Schneider, MD, FACEP, ACEP’s Associate Executive Director of Clinical Affairs.

“We are proud to work with EvidenceCare and leading clinicians from across the country to provide a robust tool that will help address this urgent public health challenge.”

Use the COVID-19 Severity Classification Tool in several ways –

• Download the PDF
• Link to the online interactive pathway at www.evidence.care/covid-19/
• An integrated version for Epic, Cerner or T-Systems is also available. Hospitals can contact info@evidence.care for more information.

The COVID-19 Severity Classification Tool is part of a free, web-based solution to help health care professionals diagnose and treat COVID-19. The system is available to hospital systems, emergency physicians, urgent care companies, and telehealth providers actively interfacing with patients globally.

“As patients present with varying symptoms and severity of COVID-19, it is more important than ever to arm our frontline care givers with the tools they need to accurately and quickly diagnose patients that have been exposed to COVID-19,” said Dr. Brain Fengler, chief executive officer and co-founder of EvidenceCare added

“We are thrilled to partner with ACEP to get these tools into the hands of those that need them most. It is vital for us all to continue to work together to fight this virus and give the care needed to those suffering from it.”

The collaborative project incorporated feedback from additional industry experts including:

• Amy Baxter, MD – chief executive officer Pain Care Labs, Clinical Assoc. Prof Augusta University
• Brenna Farmer, MD, MBA, MS – site director, New York Presbyterian Hospital Lower Manhattan Hospital ED; director of patient safety, NYP/Weill Cornell Medical Center, Associate Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine
• Phil Parker, MD – GMO SCP-Health, SCP-Health
• Jonathan A Handler, MD – adjunct associate professor, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine
• Peter A D Steel, MA, MBBS – director of clinical services, NYP/Weill Cornell Medicine Department of Emergency Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medicine
• Amos J Shemesh, MD – assistant director of clinical services, NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine
• Pawan Goyal, MD, MHA, FAMIA – associate executive director, Quality, American College of Emergency Physicians
• Sharon Hibay, DNP, RN – chief clinical officer, Arch Systems, LLC
• Christopher Corbit, MD, FACEP – facility medical director, Summerville Medical Center
• Tamara Moores Todd, MD
• Todd B Taylor, MD, FACEP – clinical informaticist, independent consultant