Emergency nurses’ knowledge and experience with the triage process in Hunan Province,China

IntroductionTriage is implemented to facilitate timely and appropriate treatment of patients, and is typically conducted by senior nurses. Triage accuracy and consistency across emergency departments remain a problem in mainland China. This study aimed to investigate the current status of triage practice and knowledge among emergency nurses in Changsha, Hunan Province, China.MethodA sample of 300 emergency nurses was selected from 13 tertiary hospitals in Changsha and a total of 193 completed surveys were returned (response rate = 64.3%). Surveys were circulated to head nurses, who then distributed them to nurses who met the selection criteria. Nurses were asked to complete the surveys and return them via dedicated survey return boxes that were placed in discreet locations to ensure anonymity.ResultsJust over half (50.8%) of participants reported receiving dedicated triage training, which was provided by their employer (38.6%), an education organisation (30.7%) or at a conference (26.1%). Approximately half (53.2%) reported using formal triage scales, which were predominantly 4-tier (43%) or 5-tier (34%).ConclusionsThe findings highlight variability in triage practices and training of emergency nurses in Changsha. This has implications for the comparability of triage data and transferability of triage skills across hospitals.     

Influence of empathy and professional values on ethical decision-making of emergency nurses: A cross sectional study

IntroductionEmergency nurses are likely to experience serious ethical dilemmas and conflicts because of the dangerous and unpredictable care situations. Nursing ethical decision-making ability is therefore a core competence. Empathy and professional values may be the important variables that influence ethical decision-making. However, for emergency nurses, there is a lack of empirical evidence to support presently. This study aimed to explore the influence of empathy and professional values on nursing ethical decision-making of emergency nurses.MethodsA convenience sample of 236 emergency nurses from 10 general hospitals in China were surveyed. Their ethical decision-making ability, empathy and professional values were measured using the Judgment About Nursing Decision scale, Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Health Professionals, and Nursing Professional Values Scale-Revised, respectively. Additionally, their sociodemographic data were collected. Univariate analysis, Pearson analysis, and multiple linear regression were performed.ResultsThe mean ethical decision-making score of emergency nurses was 295.06 ± 26.49, which was medium level. Their average ethical choice score was higher than that of ethical action (P < 0.001). The multiple linear regression results showed that professional values (Standardized coefficients (β) = 0.295, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.618–1.618), empathy (β = 0.210, 95% CI: 0.620–1.613), job title (β = 0.253, 95% CI: 0.357–2.800) and number of forms of in-service training on ethical decision-making (β = 0.243, 95% CI: 0.254–3.942) were the independent factors significantly influencing the ethical decision-making ability. The multivariate linear regression model had an F statistic of 32.153 (P < 0.001) and an R² = 0.588.ConclusionsStrengthening nurses’ empathy and professional values can help nurses make ethical decisions. More clinical experience and in-service training on ethical decision-making can help emergency nurses better handle ethical dilemmas and conflicts.     

The Relationship Between Mindfulness,Triage Accuracy,and Patient Satisfaction in the Emergency Department: A Moderation-Mediation Model

IntroductionIndividual and collective mindfulness attracts growing research attention, yet reports of their impact on health care professionals’ work behaviors are scarce, especially in the emergency department. The aim of the current study was to explore whether the association between trait mindfulness and triage accuracy is moderated by the emergency workload environment, and whether this association promotes patient satisfaction subject to levels of collective mindfulness.MethodsA prospective consecutive nested design was conducted. Data were collected from ED teams (nurses and physicians, N = 96) on individual characteristics and trait mindfulness. Data were also collected on triage accuracy, triage team characteristics, collective mindfulness, workload, and patient satisfaction (N = 960) at a specific patient–ED team encounter.ResultsFindings indicated that ED workload environment (b = 0.24, P < 0.01), trait mindfulness (b = 1.80, P < 0.01), and their interaction (b = −0.04, P < 0.05) were associated with triage accuracy. Triage accuracy (b = 1.81, P < 0.001), collective mindfulness (b = 1.29, P < 0.001), and their interaction (b = −0.32, P < 0.001) were associated with patient satisfaction. The moderated-mediation model was significant under high, but not under extreme, levels of ED workload environment and all levels of collective mindfulness.DiscussionTrait and collective mindfulness are relevant to ED triage and patient satisfaction, but their effects are bounded by workload. The beneficial gain of nurses’ trait mindfulness on triage accuracy and collective mindfulness on patient satisfaction is demonstrated only under high-workload environments but limited under extreme-workload environments.     

Impacts of the introduction of a triage system in Japan: A time series study

The aim of the present study was to measure and compare the effectiveness of nursing triage before and after introduction of the Japanese Triage and Acuity Scale (JTAS), the Japanese version of the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS), during emergency treatment. Surveys of triage nurses and emergency physicians were conducted before and after JTAS introduction. Respondents were triage nurses (before 112 cases, after 94 cases), emergency physicians (before 50, after 41), and triaged patients (before 1057, after 1025) from seven separate emergency medical facilities. The results showed that nursing triage using the JTAS shortened “time from registration to triage” by 3.8 min, “triage duration” by 1 min, “time from registration to physician” by 11.2 min, and “waiting time perceived by patients to see a physician” by 18.6 min (p < 0.001). The difference in assigned level of urgency between triage nurses and emergency physicians decreased from 34.2% to 12.2% (p < 0.001), over-triage decreased from 24.7% to 8.6% (p < 0.001), and under-triage decreased from 9.5% to 3.6% (p < 0.001). Furthermore, assessment agreement between triage nurses and emergency physicians increased significantly, from weighted κ = 0.486 to weighted κ = 0.820. These findings suggest that the introduction of the JTAS promoted more effective nursing triage and medical care.     

Electrocardiogram interpretation during nurse triage improves the performance of the triage system in patients with cardiovascular symptoms – A prospective observational study

BackgroundAn immediate ECG on arrival of a patient with cardiovascular symptoms in the ED may anticipate the need for life-saving intervention. The aim was to evaluate whether ECG interpretation during nurse triage can improve triage system performance in patients with cardiovascular symptoms.MethodsAll patients who required an assessment for cardiovascular symptoms were considered for this observational study. During triage assessment, the nurses assessed the patient's level of urgency applying the MTS, then again after this evaluation (confirming or modifying the level of urgency based on personal clinical experience) and after interpretation of the patient’s ECG. The main study outcome was the diagnosis of an acute cardiovascular event.ResultsOf the 1211 patients in the study, 10.5% presented the main study outcome. ECG interpretation in triage exhibited a nurse–physician agreement of 92.9% (p<0.001). increased patient priority in 7.5% of cases and reduced it in 39.6%. The discriminatory ability of the triage system had an area under the ROC of 0.712 and 0.845 after ECG interpretation. ECG interpretation improved the baseline assessment of priority, with an NRI of 60.1% (p<0.001).ConclusionsECG interpretation in triage can be a simple and safe tool that improves the assessment of patient priority.     

The prognostic value of sepsis scores and dichotomized triage score in patients presenting to the emergency department with fever: A prospective,observational study

BackgroundThe performance of the Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score needs to be explored further in the emergency triage room. This study aims to explore the performance of triage (tqSOFA) versus the dichotomized triage score (DTS) in patients admitted to the emergency room triage with fever.MethodsThis research was designed as a prospective, observational study within a six-month period, including patients who presented to the emergency room triage with infrared fever ≥ 37.5 °C.Results771 patients were analyzed.The highest sensitivity for predicting overall hospitalization and intensive care admission was seen for DTS (95.4 %, 100 %; p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, respectively) (AUC:0.697, 95 % CI 0.663 to 0.730; AUC:0.684, 95 % CI 0.650 to 0.717, respectively). The highest sensitivity for predicting 1st week and 1st month mortality was found for DTS (100 %, 96.3 %; p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, respectively). However, the highest specificity for predicting 1st week and 1st month mortality was observed in tqSOFA (94.1 %, 95.16; p = 0.0845, p < 0.0001, respectively) (AUC:0.658, 95 % CI 0.623 to 0.691; AUC:0.698, 95 % CI 0.664 to 0.730, respectively).ConclusionWe found DTS to be as effective as tqSOFA and SIRS in determining all hospitalization times and mortality.     

Facilitators and Barriers of the Triage Process based on Emergency Nurses’ Experience with the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale: A Qualitative Content Analysis

PurposeSince 2016, the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale (KTAS) algorithm has been applied to the triage process in the emergency departments (EDs) of Korea. This study aimed to investigate the facilitators of and barriers to a well-run triage function based on how Korean emergency nurses perceived the triage process and their experiences with it.MethodsData were collected using focus group interviews from June 2018 to January 2019. Twenty emergency nurses were divided into two junior and four senior groups based on their level of clinical experience. All interviews were recorded as they were spoken and transcribed. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.ResultsThe participants recognized the need for the KTAS algorithm to efficiently classify emergency patients and were working on it properly. According to the data, we extracted 4 themes and 20 subthemes. Four themes were as follows: (1) awareness about the necessity of triage, (2) facilitators to triage process, (3) barriers to triage process, and (4) suggestions for the establishment and development of triage.ConclusionFrom the findings of this study, various vulnerabilities of the triage process were identified, and solutions were suggested from the emergency nurses’ perspective. Educational, staffing, financial support, and periodic updates of the KTAS are needed to promote the triage process in the future.     

Assessing the Impact of ED Triage Directives on Febrile Oncology Patient Wait Times

IntroductionFever during chemotherapy is a common and potentially severe complication being increasingly evaluated in emergency departments to minimize morbidity and mortality. Streamlining triage of these patients may improve health outcomes and wait times in the health care system.MethodsA retrospective chart review of febrile patients undergoing chemotherapy was conducted at a local emergency department to assess the impact of nurse-initiated protocols on wait times.ResultsWe identified 315 patients undergoing current chemotherapy presenting with fever. Of these, 140 (44%) and 87 (28%) were initiated on the sepsis and febrile neutropenia nurse-initiated protocols, respectively. In total, 197 (63%) were admitted. The febrile neutropenia protocol had a shorter wait time from triage to disposition than the sepsis protocol (403 minutes [SD = 23] vs 329 minutes [SD = 19], t = 1.71, P = 0.01). Furthermore, the febrile neutropenia protocol demonstrated shorter times from both triage to lab results reported, in addition to the physician initial assessment in the admitted patient subgroup.DiscussionDecreased wait times from triage associated with the use of a febrile neutropenia protocol could be accounted for by a lower number of lab results required through this protocol in addition to shorter physician assessment times in the admitted population. This study shows that nurse-initiated protocols may influence door-to-antibiotic time for patients undergoing chemotherapy. By having a targeted protocol for the cancer population, health care centers may be able to demonstrate decreased health care expenditure and increased resource availability. Furthermore, as the current population of patients undergoing chemotherapy is at a high risk for neutropenia, prompt management is crucial to minimize mortality.     

The emergency nurse responses to triage interruptions and how these responses are perceived by patients: An observational,prospective study

BackgroundHealthcare providers’ responses to triage interruptions in the emergency department affect quality of care. The purposes for this study were to (1) Examine the relationship between nurses’ response to triage interruption and each of, patients’ perceived confidence in nurses’ technical skills, perceived competence of triage nurse, and satisfaction with the triage experience, (2) Examine the relationship between nurses’ response to triage interruption and nurse demographics.MethodsUsing an observational, prospective design, this study was conducted in an adult academic level 1 trauma center. Data collection tools were: The Triage Interruptions Assessment Tool, Triage and Provider Satisfaction and Confidence Survey, and Demographic Questionnaire.ResultsThe number of observed triage interviews is 93. Of them, 66 interviews were interrupted. No significant relationships were found between nurses’ response to the interruption and patients’ perceived confidence in nurses’ technical skills, competence of triage nurse, or satisfaction with triage experience. There were no significant relationships between nurses’ response to triage interruptions and nurses’ demographics.ConclusionsTriage interruptions in the emergency environment are common and most often result in delays in care. In the current study, this has not been shown to affect patients’ satisfaction. Nurses’ individual characteristics did not affect their responses to triage interruptions.     

Does rapid blood sampling affect the retention time of patients with low-acuity complaints in the emergency department?

IntroductionThe objective of this study was to investigate whether rapid blood sampling during triage led to shorter stays in the emergency department for patients with low-acuity complaints.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted in the emergency department (ED) of a tertiary university hospital in South Korea. A pre- and post-intervention comparison analysis was completed over one-month periods in June and September 2014. Data included triage level of the patient, time from the ED visit to receiving the doctor’s orders, result time of complete blood cell count (CBC) and blood chemistry (BC), length of stay (LOS) for all discharged patients who required blood sampling.ResultsA total of 1308 patients were reviewed for June 2014, and 1530 patients were reviewed for September 2014. The time from the order to the CBC and BC result report differed significantly between the two groups (p < 0.001). Rapid blood sampling did not affect the LOS in the ED (p = 0.339).ConclusionRapid blood sampling performed immediately after triage was not effective for shortening the LOS of discharged patients with low acuity complaints who required blood sampling. But the LOS of ED patients who were referred to the internal medicine was reduced by more than 200 min.     

Evaluation of the implementation of the South African Triage System at an academic hospital in central Haiti

BackgroundEffective triage is an important part of high quality emergency care, yet is frequently lacking in resource-limited settings. The South African Triage Scale (SATS) is designed for these settings and consists of a numeric score (triage early warning score, TEWS) and a list of clinical signs (known as discriminators). Our objective was to evaluate the implementation of SATS at a new teaching hospital in Haiti.MethodsA random sample of emergency department charts from October 2013 were retrospectively reviewed for the completeness and accuracy of the triage form, correct calculation of the triage score, and final patient disposition. Over and under triage were calculated. Comparisons were evaluated with chi-squared analysis.ResultsOf 390 charts were reviewed, 385 contained a triage form and were included in subsequent analysis. The final triage color was recorded for 68.4% of patients, clinical discriminators for 48.6%, and numeric score for 96.1%. The numeric score was calculated correctly 78.3% of the time; in 13.2% of patients a calculation error was made that would have changed triage priority. In 23% of cases, chart review identified clinical discriminators should have been circled but were not recorded. Overtriage and undertriage were 75.6% and 7.4% respectively.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that with limited structured training, SATS was widely adopted, but the clinical discriminators were used less commonly than the numeric score. This should be considered in future implementations of SATS.     

Triaging and referring in adjacent general and emergency departments (the TRIAGE-trial): A process evaluation of medical staff experiences in a nurse-led triage system

AimsThis process evaluation aims at identifying the facilitators and inhibitors that influenced the successful uptake of a nurse-led triage system streaming low-risk patients from an emergency department (ED) to the general practitioner (GP).Design & MethodsSemi-structured interviews with ED nurses (n = 12), ED doctors (n = 6) from the ED of a Belgian general hospital and GPs (n = 5) affiliated with the adjacent GP cooperative (GPC). The process evaluation ran in parallel with the TRIAGE trial that started in March 2019 and ended 31st of December 2019. The first set of interviews was conducted in June 2019 and the second set in January 2020. Data were analysed based on grounded theory.ResultsThrough a deductive framework, facilitators and inhibitors could be identified on three levels: the organisational, group and individual level. Main inhibitors are the degree of risk aversion of individual nurses, possible language barriers during delivery of the triage advice and the non-adapted ED infrastructure. Training on both the use of the triage protocol and effective delivery of the triage advice, in combination with periodical feedback from the GPC were the most important facilitators.ConclusionBased on the process evaluation we can conclude that a consensus exists among stakeholders that the ED Nurses are considered ideally positioned to perform the triage of walk-in patients, although a certain degree of experience is necessary. Although the extended triage protocol and GPC referral increases the complexity and duration of triage and entails a higher workload for the triage nurses, ED nurses found it did lead to a lower (perceived) workload for the ED in general.     

急诊分诊护士准入制度对比及借鉴

急诊分诊护士准人制度是护理专业化发展的趋势之一,目前国内还没有针对急诊分诊护士资质准入制度的相关规定。对急诊分诊护士提出统一的要求,进行统一的岗前培训与考核,取得资质证书后方能上岗,这样可以大大提高急诊预检分诊的质量,降低医疗纠纷的发生。本文介绍了目前国内外急诊分诊护士岗位资质要求、对于分诊护士的培训方式、培训内容及职责范围的差异。