Implementation and evaluation of the Interagency Integrated Triage Tool: Lessons from Pacific emergency departments and the COVID-19 pandemic

The Interagency Integrated Triage Tool (IITT) is a three-tier triage instrument purpose-designed for resource-limited emergency care settings. Although the tool is recommended by the World Health Organization, its validity and reliability has not been assessed. This research program evaluated the acceptability and performance of the IITT in the Pacific region both prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also examined the value of triage as a component of Pacific pandemic emergency care responses, and the impact of triage implementation on clinical outcomes and process measures in low- and middle-income country emergency departments.