Table 1 Canadian Emergency Department Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) level

1.

Resuscitation

   • Conditions that threats to life or limb (or imminent risk of deterioration) requiring Immediate aggressive interventions.

   • Time to physician immediate

2.

Emergent

   • Conditions that are a potential threat to life, limb or function, requiring rapid medical intervention or delegated acts.

   • Time to physician assessment/interview ≤ 15 min

3.

Urgent

   • Conditions that could potentially progress to a serious problem requiring emergency intervention. May be associated with significant discomfort or affecting ability to function at work or activities of daily living

   • Time to physician ≤ 30 min

4.

Less urgent/Semi-urgent

   • Conditions that related to patient age, distress, or potential for deterioration or complications would benefit from intervention or reassurance within 1-2 hours

   • Time to physician ≤ 1 hours

5.

Nonurgent

   • Conditions that may be acute but non-urgent as well as conditions which may be part of a chronic problem with or without evidence of deterioration. The investigation or interventions for some of these illnesses or injuries could be delayed or even referred to other areas of the hospital or health care system.

   • Time to physician ≤ 2 hours