Triage Paleerat Jariyakanjana, MD Emergency Physician Faculty of Medicine Naresuan University 30 Nov 2012
Triage
Paleerat Jariyakanjana, MDEmergency Physician
Faculty of MedicineNaresuan University
30 Nov 2012
originated in WW I by French doctors treating the battlefield wounded at the aid stations behind the front
3 categories Those who are likely to live, regardless of what care
they receive Those who are likely to die, regardless of what care
they receive Those for whom immediate care might make a
positive difference in outcome
simplest term: the sorting or prioritizing of items
Concepts 1) Utility
2) Relevance
3) Validity
1º operational objectives: time to see physician
Assigning Triage"usual presentation"
not totally dictated by the presenting complaint
vital signs, PEFR, O2 saturation, pain scales
Goals of Triage
A. To rapidly identify patients with urgent, life threatening conditions.
B. To determine the most appropriate treatment area for patients presenting to the ED.
C. To decrease congestion in emergency treatment areas.
D. To provide ongoing assessment of patients. E. To provide information to patients and
families regarding services expected care and waiting times.
F. To contribute information that helps to define departmental acuity.
Role of Triage PersonnelThe triage nurse should have rapid
access or be in view of the registration and waiting areas at all times.
Role of Triage Personnel1. Greets client and family in a warm empathetic
manner.2. Performs brief visual assessments.3. Documents the assessment.4. Triages clients into priority groups using
appropriate guidelines.5. Transports client to treatment area when
necessary.6. Gives report to the treatment nurse or
emergency physician, documents who report was given to and returns to the triage area.
7. Keeps patients/families aware of delays.8. Reassesses waiting clients as necessary.9. Instructs clients to notify triage nurse of any
change in condition.
Role of Triage PersonnelAccurate: based on
Practical knowledge gained through experience and training.
Correct identification of signs or symptoms. Use of guidelines and triage protocols.
recorded on all patients, during all shifts
General Triage Guidelinesdynamic process
A patient’s condition may improve OR deteriorate during the wait for entry to the treatment area.
Triage Process: Primary survey vs Primary Nursing Assessment
The need to meet time objectives for triage assignment within 10 minutes of arrival means that the triage assessment may be limited to 2 minutes unless there are other operational policies like bringing on more triage personnel.
The triage assessment
1. Chief complaint2. Subjective3. Objective4. Additional Information:
Allergies Medications
ReassessmentObjectives for time to Nursing
reassessment is related to triage levelexceeded the time objective: up
triaged
Documentation Standards1. Date and time of triage assessment.2. Nurse’s name.3. Chief complaint or presenting concerns.4. Limited subjective history: onset of
injury/symptoms5. Objective observation.6. Triage Level7. Location in the department.8. Report to treatment nurse.9. Allergies10.Medications11.Diagnostic, first aid measures, therapeutic
interventions.12.Reassessment(s).
TRIAGE & ACUITY SCALE CATEGORY DEFINITIONS
Level I ResuscitationConditions that are threats to life or
limb (or imminent risk of deterioration) requiring immediate aggressive interventions.
Level II EmergentConditions that are a potential threat
to life limb or function, requiring rapid medical intervention or delegated acts.
Level II Emergent
Level III UrgentConditions that could potentially
progress to a serious problem requiring emergency intervention.
Level IV Less Urgent (Semi urgent)
Conditions that related to patient age, distress, or potential for deterioration or complications would benefit from intervention or reassurance within 1-2 hours.
Level V Non UrgentConditions that may be acute but non-
urgent as well as conditions which may be part of a chronic problem with or without evidence of deterioration.
ANY QUESTIONS?