EMERGENCY SEVERITY INDEX

DEFINITION ESI-1 ESI-2 ESI-3 ESI-4 ESI-5

Stability of vital
Unstable Threatened Stable Stable Stable
functions (ABCs)
Life Threat or Likely but not Unlikely but
Obvious No No
Organ Threat always obvious possible
How soon patient
Within 10
should be seen by Immediately Up to 1 hr Could be delayed Could be delayed
minutes
physician
-High resource -High resource -Medium to High -Low resource -Low resource
intensity intensity resource intensity intensity intensity

-Staff at bedside -Multiple, often -Multiple -One simple -Examination

continuously complex diagnostic studies diagnostic study only
diagnostic studies (e.g. multiple lab (e.g. x-ray) or
Expected -Often studies, x-rays) simple procedure
resource intensity mobilization of -Frequent or brief (e.g. studies)
team response consultation observation

-Continuous -Complex
monitoring procedure (e.g.
IV fluids,
medications)
-Cardiac arrest -Chest pain -Abdominal pain -Closed extremity -Cold symptoms
probably or gynecologic trauma
-Intubated trauma -Minor burn
resulting from d/o unless in
patient -Simple
ischemia severe distress
laceration -Recheck (e.g.
Examples -Overdose with
-Multiple trauma -Hip fracture in wound)
bradypnea -Cystitis
unless responsive older patient
-Prescription
-Severe
refill
respiratory
distress