Prehospital Triage Classification Using Regional Patient Data Models

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Solution Overview

Problem

Accurate triaging of trauma patients in pre-hospital settings is challenging due to variability in checklists across geographic regions and care providers, leading to high over triage rates and inefficient utilization of trauma resources.

Innovation Solution

A computerized triage system using a trained model, such as a random forest classifier, that analyzes multiple patient attributes to assign a triage category, tailored to specific geographic regions, reducing over triage while maintaining under triage rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional checklists are used for triage, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates leading to high over triage rates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of triage operationVSAvoidtriage accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical checklist-based triage systems with a computerized model that processes patient data. The system uses a trained classifier (such as random forest or neural network) to automatically determine triage categories, substituting human judgment and manual checklist evaluation with automated computational analysis, thereby improving accuracy while maintaining ease of operation through simple data input interfaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters used for triage from simple checklist items to multiple patient attributes including vital signs, demographics, and injury characteristics. The computerized model analyzes these parameters in combination rather than using discrete checklist criteria, allowing for more nuanced and accurate triage decisions that reduce over-triage while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If traditional checklists are used for triage, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates due to inefficient resource utilization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal computerized triage system that can be applied across multiple geographic regions and trauma centers. The same trained model processes patient data consistently regardless of location, providing standardized accurate triage decisions. This multi-functional approach improves resource utilization efficiency by ensuring appropriate patient-facility matching while maintaining manageable system complexity through a unified platform

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The triage system performs self-service by automatically processing patient data and generating triage category recommendations without requiring complex manual intervention. The trained model independently analyzes patient attributes and determines appropriate triage levels, reducing the need for highly trained specialists to make triage decisions and thereby improving overall system productivity and resource efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If region-specific models are used, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegeographic adaptabilityVSAvoidmodel complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the triage system into modular components: a data collection module, a trained classifier module, and an output module. Region-specific adaptations can be implemented by retraining the classifier with local data without changing the overall system architecture. This segmentation allows geographic adaptability while maintaining manageable complexity through a consistent framework that can be customized to different regions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12537102B2System and method for determining triage categories
Publication Date: 2026.01.27 DECISIO HEALTH LLC
  • US12537102B2 patent drawing
  • US12537102B2 patent drawing
  • US12537102B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Embodiments disclosed herein provide a system, method, and computer program product for providing a triage classification system. The triage classification system uses a computer model that is developed using historical patient data. The developed computer model is applied to collected patient attribute data from a patient in a pre-hospital setting to generate a triage category. Based on the generated triage category, health care professionals can take desired actions, such as transporting the patient to a facility matching the generated triage category.