Multidisciplinary assessment at triage: a new way forward.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a dual doctor and nurse triage system at a tertiary referral hospital.


METHODS
Data were compared between periods of multidisciplinary triage and periods of standard triage. Data comparison was also made between rostered multidisciplinary triage shifts and non-multidisciplinary triage shifts. Staff satisfaction with the process was assessed.


RESULTS
The percentage of patients seen within Australasian Triage Scale performance indicator thresholds increased from 75% to 81% in Category 2 patients (P = 0.12) and 56% to 78% in Category 3 patients (P < 0.0001). There was a reduction of 50% in the number of patients who left prior to being seen by a doctor (P = 0.024). Surveys showed high staff satisfaction with the process.


CONCLUSIONS
We feel that multidisciplinary triage performs a useful function in our department enabling us to reduce waiting times. The process is widely accepted amongst the staff and it ensures a senior doctor assesses most patients. It reduces the number of patients leaving prior to being seen by a doctor and it provides one way of getting around access block and a physically small department.
Richardson
Joanna R
JR
Department of Emergency Medicine, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Braitberg
George
G
Yeoh
Michael J
MJ
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D006302:Health Services Research; D006786:Hospitals, Urban / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007374:Interior Design and Furnishings / Q000592:standards; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019555:Physician-Nurse Relations; D015397:Program Evaluation; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care / Q000592:standards; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013997:Time Factors; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D014218:Triage / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014739:Victoria; D014850:Waiting Lists