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- Title
Challenges in triage function.
- Authors
Schröder M; Hansen TJ; Jorsboe H
- Abstract
Triage, new to Denmark, is a highly effective system for prioritising the care of patients in accident and emergency departments. Previously, all nursing staff in the emergency department at Nykobing Falster had collective responsibility for assessing all patients based on subjective criteria. After introducing a 5-step triage system, initial patient assessment is now the responsibility of one nurse (the triage nurse). Experience shows that vital parameters support the triaging system, but can delay treatment of the critically ill. The critically ill can have normal vital parameters and risk being triaged too low. There is also a tendency to give patients a higher triage score in order to ensure rapid treatment. Consequently, we have adapted the triage model an route, in order to render the process more uniform. The triage process takes no more than 2-3 minutes and enables the other nursing staff to concentrate on their own patients. We recommend that the triage system be adapted to known working processes, staffing, physical limitations and be patient-centred. The result is a better patient throughput and a scientific debate previously not found in the department.
- Publication
Danish Journal of Nursing / Sygeplejersken, 2010, Vol 110, Issue 9, p58
- ISSN
0106-8350
- Publication type
Journal Article