A review of triage nursing practice and experience in Victorian public hospitals.

Abstract

Aim The aim of this study was to make an assessment of the way in which triage is conducted in Victoria's public hospital emergency departments, and to determine the degree of uniformity that exists in relation to staff experience, triage guidelines and physical observations recorded at triage. Method Nurse managers of 14 Victorian public hospital emergency departments completed surveys regarding their triage nurses' experience and triage practices. Results All hospitals utilised triage guidelines distributed by the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine. In addition, 10 hospitals had developed guidelines specific for the individual hospital. Four hospitals had predetermined triage categories for certain presentations. The nature and extent of physical observations recorded at triage varied widely. Triage nurse experience and training requirements also varied. Conclusions Training, experience and clinical aspects of the triage role vary in Victorian public hospitals. A more uniform approach to the role of triage and the training of triage nurses should be developed.