Training for the role of triage in Australasia.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the prerequisite experience and training undertaken by nurses for the role of triage in emergency departments in Australasia.


METHODS
Postal survey of charge nurses/unit nurse managers of all Australasian emergency departments accredited for specialist emergency physician training by the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine.


RESULTS
The response rate was 89%. The most common duration of prerequisite experience was 12-18 months. Most programmes use a combination of educational activities, with self-directed learning packages, lectures and mentored experience being the most common. Three hospitals reported no preparation for triage.


CONCLUSIONS
In Australasia, there is wide variability in required training and experience before triage duties are performed. Strategies to set suggested minimum standards in these areas and to make training activities more accessible are recommended.
Kelly
A M
AM
Department of Emergency Medicine, Western Hospital, Footscray, Victoria, Australia. Anne-Maree.Kelly@wh.org.au
Richardson
D
D
D001315:Australia; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D009520:New Zealand; D014218:Triage