A 2-week-old infant with a fever is deemed at high risk. What is the appropriate ESI level?

In the context of the Emergency Severity Index (ESI), a 2-week-old infant with a fever is classified at a high risk, which corresponds to a Level 2 designation. This is because young infants, especially those less than 28 days old, are particularly vulnerable to serious infections and can deteriorate quickly. The presence of a fever in an infant this age raises significant concern for potential bacterial infections, such as meningitis or sepsis, that can require immediate intervention.

Level 2 indicates a condition that is urgent but not immediately life-threatening, which fits with the situation of a febrile infant. Such patients require prompt assessment and potentially rapid treatment. On the other hand, higher levels such as Level 1 are reserved for critical life-threatening emergencies requiring immediate attention, while lower levels like Level 4 and Level 5 pertain to situations that involve less acute health issues and generally do not convey the same urgency as an infant with a fever.