Mental Health Triage Tools for Medically Cleared Disaster Survivors: An Evaluation by MRC Volunteers and Public Health Workers

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:sec id="S1935789313000293_abs1" sec-type="general"><jats:title>Objective</jats:title><jats:p>Psychological assessment after disasters determines which survivors are acutely distressed or medically compromised and what kind of assistance is needed (whether practical or psychological). A mental health triage tool can help direct more people to the appropriate type of help. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the Fast Mental Health Triage Tool (FMHT) and the Alsept-Price Mental Health Scale (APMHS) among public health workers and Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteers in conducting mental health triage. Both tools screen for ability to follow simple commands, chronic medical conditions, mental health conditions and services, occult injuries, and traumatic events in the past year. Both were designed for use in disasters where mental health resources are scarce and survivors are already medically triaged.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec id="S1935789313000293_abs2" sec-type="methods"><jats:title>Methods</jats:title><jats:p>Volunteers (n = 204) and workers (n = 66) were randomized into 3 groups, with 79 participating. Fifty-nine raters completed 20 each of 1180 mental health clinical vignettes of disaster survivors.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec id="S1935789313000293_abs3" sec-type="results"><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>The survey presenting the vignettes was highly reliable at 0.771; the study model was parallel between baseline and treatment; and the interclass correlation among the raters was high at 0.852. Each rater triaged the same cases, but the rater was randomly assigned to use FMHT, APMHS, or no tool or scale. Between-subject effect for the tools used was significant (<jats:italic>P</jats:italic> = .039). The FMHT was significantly better than no tool in correct mental health triage, 67.3% to 51.5% (<jats:italic>P</jats:italic> = .028).</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec id="S1935789313000293_abs4" sec-type="conclusion"><jats:title>Conclusion</jats:title><jats:p>The incorporation of a temporal component should be evaluated for potential inclusion in existing mental health triage systems. (<jats:italic>Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness</jats:italic>. 2013;7:20-28)</jats:p></jats:sec>

Investigating the predictive validity of an emergency department mental health triage tool

“…Previous research into EDMHT has focused on the competence and confidence of emergency department nurses to perform mental health triage (Broadbent et al ., 2002; 2004), comparisons between the triage of people with mental illness in the emergency department by emergency department nurses and psychiatric nurses (Happell et al ., ), the learning needs and attitudes of emergency department staff to the triage of people with mental health problems (Sivakumar et al ., ; Weiland et al ., ; Gerdtz et al ., ), violence risk assessment at triage (Sands et al ., ), mental health triage of the agitated patient (Nordstrom et al ., ), mental health triage in disaster settings (Brannen et al ., ), and the consumer and carer perspective on the process of EDMHT (Clarke et al ., ; Morphet et al ., ).…”

Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of Readiness for Events With Psychological Emergencies Assessment Tool

“…Existing evidence indicates that healthcare providers should to be trained on how to use the risk assessment tool [33]. One of the tools in this regard is the Risk Assessment Index, which is a quick tool for screening and assessing preparedness [29].…”

Using Functional Needs and Personal Care Assistance Rather Than Disability Status During Chronic Care Triage in Community Mass Care

“…Like many units across the country, the Greene County Medical Reserve Corps unit has had a succession of trainings related to sheltering since its inception in 2005 24 . The unit has also responded to Hurricane Rita/Katrina, provided shelter support of functional needs during the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, assisted with the 2009–2010 H1N1 pandemic vaccination campaign, and provided support to a functional needs shelter after a large apartment building fire.…”