Accuracy of single versus multiple observers estimates of patient weight in the emergency department: a prospective observational study in Saudi Arabia
Authors:
Ali S Al-Shareef,
Ahmed Binjabi,
Wesam Edrees,
Jameel Baljoon,
Majed Ramadan
Objective: This study aimed to assess whether estimations made by groups of two or three healthcare professionals were more accurate than those made by a single observer when estimating the weight of supine adult patients in the emergency department (ED). Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary hospital’s ED in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Adult ambulatory patients (aged 18 years or older) were enrolled using systematic random sampling. Each patient underwent three sequential weight estimations: (1) single emergency physician, (2) physician–nurse pair, and (3) triad of physician, nurse, and another emergency provider. Observers were blinded to prior estimates and actual weight, which was measured using a calibrated hospital scale. Accuracy was defined as ±5 kg of the actual weight. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance and Bland–Altman plots. Results: A total of 369 patients were included (52.3% female; mean age, 50.38 years). Accuracy rates were 67.5%, 74.0%, and 76.4% for single observers, pairs, and triads, respectively (p < 0.05). Board-certified emergency physicians had the highest accuracy across all configurations (up to 88.8%), followed by residents and non-board-certified emergency physicians. Collaborative estimation improved accuracy, with the largest relative gain among general practitioners (38.0%–63.0%). The triads demonstrated the smallest variance in error. Conclusion: Compared with individual assessments, collaborative weight estimation improves accuracy and might enhance patient safety when direct measurement is not feasible. In high-volume, resource-limited EDs, structured, interprofessional protocols should be considered.
Keywords: Emergency service, body weight/methods, observer variation, interprofessional relations, Saudi Arabia.
Authors
Ali S Al-Shareef
Emergency Medicine Department, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Google Scholor Articles
Pubmed Articles
Correspondence to:
Ahmed Binjabi, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah ahmadbinjabiz@gmail.com
Publication history:
Received 27 Aug 2025
Accepted 14 Oct 2025
Published online 01 Nov 2025
Published in print 12 Nov 2025
Al-shareef AS, Binjabi A, Edrees W, Baljoon J, Ramadan M. Accuracy of single versus multiple observers estimates of patient weight in the emergency department: a prospective observational study in Saudi Arabia. SJEMed. 2025; 6(3): 207-212. doi:
10.24911/SJEMed.72-1756236348
Al-shareef AS, Binjabi A, Edrees W, Baljoon J, Ramadan M. Accuracy of single versus multiple observers estimates of patient weight in the emergency department: a prospective observational study in Saudi Arabia. https://sjemed.com/?mno=279910 [Access: November 23, 2025]. doi:
10.24911/SJEMed.72-1756236348
Al-shareef AS, Binjabi A, Edrees W, Baljoon J, Ramadan M. Accuracy of single versus multiple observers estimates of patient weight in the emergency department: a prospective observational study in Saudi Arabia. SJEMed. 2025; 6(3): 207-212. doi:
10.24911/SJEMed.72-1756236348
Al-shareef AS, Binjabi A, Edrees W, Baljoon J, Ramadan M. Accuracy of single versus multiple observers estimates of patient weight in the emergency department: a prospective observational study in Saudi Arabia. SJEMed. (2025), [cited November 23, 2025]; 6(3): 207-212. doi:
10.24911/SJEMed.72-1756236348
Al-shareef, A. S., Binjabi, . A., Edrees, . W., Baljoon, . J. & Ramadan, . M. (2025) Accuracy of single versus multiple observers estimates of patient weight in the emergency department: a prospective observational study in Saudi Arabia. SJEMed, 6 (3), 207-212. doi:
10.24911/SJEMed.72-1756236348
Al-shareef, Ali. S., Ahmed Binjabi, Wesam Edrees, Jameel Baljoon, and Majed Ramadan. 2025. Accuracy of single versus multiple observers estimates of patient weight in the emergency department: a prospective observational study in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Journal of Emergency Medicine, 6 (3), 207-212. doi:
10.24911/SJEMed.72-1756236348
Al-shareef, Ali. S., Ahmed Binjabi, Wesam Edrees, Jameel Baljoon, and Majed Ramadan. "Accuracy of single versus multiple observers estimates of patient weight in the emergency department: a prospective observational study in Saudi Arabia." Saudi Journal of Emergency Medicine 6 (2025), 207-212. doi:
10.24911/SJEMed.72-1756236348
Al-shareef, Ali. S., Ahmed Binjabi, Wesam Edrees, Jameel Baljoon, and Majed Ramadan. "Accuracy of single versus multiple observers estimates of patient weight in the emergency department: a prospective observational study in Saudi Arabia." Saudi Journal of Emergency Medicine 6.3 (2025), 207-212. Print. doi:
10.24911/SJEMed.72-1756236348
Al-shareef, A. S., Binjabi, . A., Edrees, . W., Baljoon, . J. & Ramadan, . M. (2025) Accuracy of single versus multiple observers estimates of patient weight in the emergency department: a prospective observational study in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Journal of Emergency Medicine, 6 (3), 207-212. doi:
10.24911/SJEMed.72-1756236348