Clinical triage at Harvard Community Health Plan.
Triage is the sorting of patients according to clinical urgency. The night-time triage program at the Health Centers Division of the Harvard Community Health Plan (HCHP) directs and coordinates all patient care. A thorough knowledge of the clinical and administrative program of HCHP as well as informed understanding of the external environment is necessary to accomplish this responsibility. As part of the orientation and training program for the night triage staff, a set of written clinical protocols for serious medical emergencies has been developed. Examples of clinical situations are provided in this article.
Leaning
J
J
Harvard Community Health Plan, Brookline, MA 02146.
Wilkinson
J
J
Sansby
S
S
D001900:Boston; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006279:Health Maintenance Organizations / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D013689:Telephone; D013997:Time Factors; D014218:Triage / Q000458:organization & administration*