Triage in civilian practice.
A triage area for the assessment and treatment of acutely ill patients on their admission to hospital was created. Four groups of patients were defined who were to be sent to this area rather than be treated in the casualty department. The area was contiguous with the hospital intensive care unit rather than the casualty department as the ease of providing trained staff members and equipment on a 24-hour basis outweighed the disadvantage of geographical separation from the casualty department. The increase in workload created for the intensive care members of staff was small, while the reduction in delay for seriously ill patients was considerable.
D000208:Acute Disease; D001315:Australia; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D006760:Hospitalization; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D013997:Time Factors; D014218:Triage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000078329:Workforce