Who is responsible for pediatric triage decisions in Australian emergency departments: a description of the educational and experiential preparation of general and pediatric emergency nurses.
BACKGROUND
Pediatric presentations to the emergency department (ED) account for approximately one third of ED presentations. Triage is the process employed by the ED to prioritize presenting patients, including children, on the basis of clinical urgency. This role is undertaken by emergency nurses, and a range of recommendations are available regarding the level of experience and education required by the nurse responsible for pediatric triage decisions. However, little is known about the actual education and experience of nurses undertaking pediatric triage.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the level of experiential and educational preparation of emergency nurses responsible for pediatric triage decisions in pediatric and adult and pediatric population EDs.


METHODS
An anonymous survey of emergency nurses responsible for pediatric triage decisions in a number of specialist and mixed EDs was conducted.


RESULTS
Education and experience varies widely among nurses responsible for pediatric triage decisions. Many nurses practicing pediatric triage do not meet recognized guidelines for the levels of education and experience required to undertake pediatric triage. Nurses practicing in mixed population EDs were less likely to meet the recommended educational requirements than pediatric emergency nurses and yet reported no difference in their level of confidence in undertaking pediatric triage.


CONCLUSIONS
Educationalists and managers must make a commitment to pediatric triage preparation for nurses in EDs providing pediatric services. In particular, emphasis must be placed on providing pediatric continuing education for nurses practicing in mixed population EDs. However, it is also essential that the impact of education and experience on patient outcomes be investigated before an attempt is made to influence the preparation of nurses for triage.
Crellin
Dianne J
DJ
School of Postgraduate Nursing, The University of Melbourne, Australia. crellind@cryptic.rch.unimelb.edu.au
Johnston
Linda
L
D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards*; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014218:Triage / Q000592:standards*