Why aren vital signs required for ESI level-4 and 5 patients?
Vital signs are not necessary to rate patients as low or no resource (ESI level 4 or 5). Also, the pain, anxiety, and discomfort associated with an emergency department visit often alter a patient’s vital signs. Vital signs may quickly return to normal once the initial assessment is addressed. However, a nurse may choose to assess vital signs if signs of deranged symptoms exist (e.g., changes in skin color, mentation, dizziness, sweating). If there is no physical sign indicating a need for vital signs, the patient can be taken in the main emergency department or express care room.
