NCT07123857 Impact of Point-of-care Lactate Testing as Triage Supplement on Patient Management Using Manchester Triage System
| NCT ID | NCT07123857 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | University Medical Centre Maribor |
| Condition | Triage |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 200 participants |
| Start Date | 2025-07-10 |
| Primary Completion | 2026-12-31 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
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What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 200 participants in total. It began in 2025-07-10 with a primary completion date of 2026-12-31.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
Although the Manchester Triage System (MTS) is widely used and validated internationally, it has some limitations. Its accuracy is moderate, especially for children and the elderly. Rising patient numbers and overcrowded emergency departments increase wait times, sometimes beyond safe limits. In Slovenia, MTS has been in use for 14 years without major updates, despite a significant rise in emergency visits. The yellow triage category (60-minute wait time) includes a very diverse group of patients, some of whom might require faster care. Older patients, in particular, often show atypical symptoms and may be under-triaged. Including rapid bedside lab tests, like blood lactate levels, could improve risk assessment and triage accuracy. Elevated lactate is linked with higher mortality and can help identify critically ill patients more effectively. The proposed study is a prospective, randomized trial involving two groups of patients in the yellow triage category, all of whom will have their capillary blood lactate levels measured. Patients with normal lactate levels will be excluded. Only patients with elevated lactate will be compared. The test group will be re-triaged to the orange category and treated more urgently. The control group, despite also having high lactate levels, will remain in the yellow category, and their elevated lactate values will not be shared with the treating physician. Randomization will be based on the patient's birth date (even days = test group, odd days = control group). Only the nurse will know the result, maintaining physician blinding to avoid the Hawthorne effect-changes in behavior due to awareness of being studied. Standard lab tests will be performed later during treatment as deemed necessary by the attending doctor.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * signed consent, yellow MTS triage category Exclusion Criteria: * pregnant women, trauma patients, epileptic seizures, adrenergic therapy in prehospital unit
Contact & Investigator
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT07123857 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, studying Triage. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT07123857 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT07123857 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at jerica.zalo@gmail.com for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT07123857 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Maribor, Slovenia.
Who is sponsoring the NCT07123857 clinical trial?
NCT07123857 is sponsored by University Medical Centre Maribor. The trial plans to enroll 200 participants.