Performance of the rapid triage conducted by nurses at the emergency entrance

Characteristics of eye-related emergency visits and triage differences by nurses and ophthalmologists: Perspective from a single eye center in southern China

PURPOSE

To describe characteristics of eye-related emergency department (ED) visits and investigate differences in priorities assigned to patients by triage nurses and ophthalmologists.

METHODS

A prospective survey was conducted at the ED of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center from January 1, 2021, to May 31, 2021. Clinical data from patients with acute ophthalmic conditions lasting less than 7 days were collected via a standard questionnaire and the urgency levels assigned by nurses and physicians were also recorded. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify characteristics associated with truly emergency conditions and up- or down-triage.

RESULTS

A total of 1907 patients were enrolled, with 582 (30.5%) classified as "non-emergency." Red eye (69.7%), eye pain (53.0%), ocular trauma (44.1%), tearing (43.6%), and blurred vision (43.1%) were the most common complaints. Truly emergency tended to be male (OR 2.019, p < 0.001) and with unilateral eye involvement (OR 2.992, p < 0.001). Nurses prioritized conjunctival, scleral, closed ocular trauma and eyelid diseases over doctors while giving less priority to open ocular trauma, cornea, uveitis, and vitreoretinal diseases (p < 0.05). Overemphasis on mild blurred vision (OR 3.718, p = 0.001) and insufficient understanding of conjunctival diseases without red eye (OR 0.254, p = 0.001) were associated with conjunctival disease "up-triage." Insufficient awareness of moderate and severe blurred vision was associated with "down-triage" for ocular trauma (OR 3.475, p = 0.001 and OR 2.422, p = 0.020, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Ophthalmic EDs are typically flooded with patients suffering from acute ocular problems, with a considerable portion for non-emergency conditions. The identification of characteristics associated with truly emergency cases and nurses' triage preferences is valuable in providing target guidance for future ED practice and facilitating the proper allocation of emergency resources.

Perspective of Emergency Pediatric Nurses Triaging Pediatric Patients in the Emergency Department: A Phenomenographic Study

INTRODUCTION

Triage, a process to determine illness severity, is implemented by emergency nurses to prioritize treatment and provide care for a maximum number of patients using limited resources. The competency of emergency nurses and a highly reliable triage are crucial for the provision of emergency care. Pediatric patients are different from adult patients in certain aspects, such as growth-phase characteristics, communication ability, and the onset of disease; these aspects often pose challenges during their primary triage. This study explored how emergency nurses triage pediatric patients using the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale.

METHODS

Eleven emergency nurses (N = 11) working in the pediatric emergency department of a university hospital in Seoul, South Korea, were recruited using purposive sampling methods. Phenomenography was used to investigate the strategies by which these nurses use the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale to triage pediatric patients.

RESULTS

The findings comprised 2 descriptive categories: 6 approaches on how to triage patients (categories of how) and 3 strategies (categories of what) used by pediatric emergency nurses to triage pediatric patients with the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale.

DISCUSSION

The experience and proficiency of emergency nurses are essential factors for the effective triage of pediatric patients. Our findings qualitatively elucidate different ways of understanding pediatric triage and indicate the need for pediatric triage education programs.

Rapid triage performed by nurses: Signs and symptoms associated with identifying critically ill patients in the emergency department

AIM

Aim of this study is to identify signs and symptoms associated with identifying critically ill patients by rapid triage assessment performed by nurses in an emergency department.

BACKGROUND

In some emergency services, the immediate assessment of critically ill patients occurs before opening the hospital formal registration and it is based on the nurse's experience. Studies on the topic are essential to improve this process.

DESIGN

This is a cross-sectional, quantitative study.

METHODS

This study was conducted in a Brazilian emergency department in 2017. Adult patients who presented potentially life-threatening symptoms underwent rapid triage to determine the medical urgency. Those identified as being critically ill were classified as high priority and streamed to the emergency room.

RESULTS

A total of 154 (84.6%) patients were classified as high priority from the total of 182 evaluations. Altered state of consciousness (35.2%) and altered skin perfusion (25.3%) were frequently identified. Signs and symptoms associated with identifying critically ill patients by rapid triage were alterations in ventilation (OR 6.09; p = 0.028), neurological dysfunction (OR 44.96; p < 0.001) and pain (OR 5.80; p = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

Nurses should value neurological and ventilation alterations and pain in patients during rapid triage, since these signs and symptoms are associated with high care priority.