Emergency Severity Index (ESI) Implementation Handbook, 2012 Edition

Appendix C. Abbreviations and Acronyms
(as used in this handbook)

AAA = Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

AAP = American Academy of Pediatrics

ABCD = Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability

ABCDE = Airway/Breathing/Circulation/ Disability/Exposure-Environmental Control

ACEP = American College of Emergency Physicians

ACS = Acute Coronary Syndromes

ADHD = Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

AHA = American Hospital Association

AHRQ = Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

APLS = Advanced Pediatric Life Support

ASA = Acetylsalicylic Acid

AVPU = Alert, Verbal, Pain, Unresponsive

BP = Blood Pressure

C = Centigrade

CBC = Complete Blood Count

CDC = Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

CNS = Clinical Nurse Specialist

COPD = Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

CPR = Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

CSF = Cerebrospinal Fluid

CT = Computed (axial) Tomography

CTAS = Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale

DKA = Diabetic Ketoacidosis

ECG = Electrocardiogram

ED = Emergency Department

EMS = Emergency Medical Services

EMT = Emergency Medical Technician

ENA = Emergency Nurses Association

ESI = Emergency Severity Index

F = Female or Fahrenheit

HR = Heart Rate

HRSA = Health Resources and Services Administration

HTN = Hypertension

IOM = Institute of Medicine

IV = Intravenous

M = Month or Male

MRI = Magnetic Resonance Imaging

NORC = National Opinion Research Center

OTC = Over the Counter

Palp. = Palpated or Palpable

PALS = Pediatric Advanced Life Support

PAT = Pediatric Assessment Triangle

PEG = Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy

PEPP = Pediatric Education for Prehospital Professionals

PMH = Past Medical History

QI = Quality Improvement

RN = Registered Nurse

RR = Respiratory Rate

SIRS = Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome

SpO₂ = Oxygen Saturation

T = Temperature

TTS = Taiwan Triage System

URI = Upper Respiratory Illness

UTI = Urinary Tract Infection

VS = Vital Signs

VSS = Vital Signs Stable

Y = Year

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AHRQ Publication No. 12-0014