The effects of technology on triage in A & E.
Within the specialty of Accident and Emergency (A & E) nursing, triage is a term meaning to classify or sort patients according to their need for care (Blythin 1988). Burgess (1992) views this process as a means of prioritizing patients in order, so that the more seriously ill or injured are seen first (Table 1). Triage performance is measured in the author's department by computer. This technological source is used to record the patient's arrival time and the time at which the patient is triaged. Technology is defined by the Oxford Dictionary (1996) as 'the study of mechanical arts and science, their application in industry'. This paper explores the impact of this technology and the related issues on the A & E triage nurse, and will focus on issues related to the Patients' Charter (1991), resource implications, safety and staff training. In conclusion, the quality of a patient's total care, in which the author participated, is discussed with reference to the related issues and implications for future practice.
Roberts
J
J
Accident & Emergency Department, Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, UK.
D000368:Aged; D019091:Critical Pathways / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013677:Medical Laboratory Science / Q000379:methods*; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing; D014218:Triage / Q000379:methods*; D014458:Ulna Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing