With lower extremity sprain and strain injuries making up more than one-third (36 percent) of emergency department (ED) visits, researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston propose using a so-called ankle hotline to triage by telephone, reports UPI. Hospitals can therefore schedule care appointments for these non-life-threatening conditions. "Different approaches to triage and evaluation of lower extremity injury might result in better utilization of emergency healthcare resources," the study authors say in a statement. "For instance, patients with ankle injuries might call an emergency phone number to be triaged for an urgent visit if necessary, or a scheduled visit during regular business hours instead." Article