Abstract
Aim
To describe current models of triage, the preparation and education of triage nurses,
and methods of auditing triage practice in New South Wales emergency departments.
Background
Triage is a critical component of emergency department practice; affecting patient
safety and access to emergency care. Within Australia, triage is an autonomous role
predominantly conducted by trained emergency nurses. Patient safety and timely access
to emergency care relies upon the experience, education and training of emergency
triage nurses. To date, little is known about triage models of care, the preparation
and education of triage nurses, and assessment of triage practice and decision accuracy.
Method
Descriptive, exploratory study design employing a self-reporting cross-sectional survey
of clinical nurse consultants and educators in New South Wales.
Results
The survey results reveal variability in models of triage, and the eligibility, preparation
and education requirements of triage nurses; that appear geographically related. Auditing
of triage practice was commonly undertaken retrospectively; feedback to triage nurses
was infrequent. The survey found evidence of locally developed guidelines directing
triage category allocation for specific conditions or symptoms.
Conclusion
The purpose of triage is to ensure that the level of emergency care provided is commensurate
with clinical urgency. Variability in the preparation, education and evaluation of
triage nurses may in and of itself, contribute to poor patient outcomes. Further,
workforce size and geography may impede auditing and the provision of feedback, which
are critical to improving triage practice and triage nurse performance. It is imperative
that the Emergency Triage Education Kit be revised and maintained in tandem with future
revisions of the Australasian Triage Scale.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 12, 2019
Accepted:
January 15,
2019
Received in revised form:
January 14,
2019
Received:
June 30,
2018
Identification
Copyright
© 2019 College of Emergency Nursing Australasia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
