Team triage improves emergency department efficiency.
OBJECTIVE
To see whether three hours of combined doctor and nurse triage would lead to earlier medical assessment and treatment and whether this benefit would carry on for the rest of the day when normal triage had resumed.


METHODS
Eight days were randomly selected; four for team triage and four for the normal nurse led triage. Team triage was coordinated by a middle grade or consultant from 9 am to 12 noon. Times to triage, to see a doctor, radiology, admission, and discharge were recorded. No additional medical or nursing staff were used and staffing levels were similar each day. All patients including blue light emergencies and minor injuries were included.


RESULTS
Median times were significantly reduced (p<0.05) during the intervention to triage (2 min v 7 min, p = 0. 029), to see a doctor (2 min v 32 min, p = 0.029), and to radiology (11.5 min v 44.5 min, p = 0.029). Waiting times at midday were longer for patients in the non-intervention group. More patients were seen and discharged within 20 minutes in the intervention group (18 of 95 (19%) v 2 of 69 (3%) p = 0.0043). No significant knock on effect was demonstrable for the remaining 21 hours after the intervention ceased.


CONCLUSIONS
Three hours of combined doctor and nurse triage significantly reduces the time to medical assessment, radiology, and to discharge during the intervention period. Waiting times at midday were shorter in the triage group. There was no significant knock on effect the rest of the day.
Subash
F
F
Emergency Department, Royal Victoria Hospital, Grosvenor Road, Belfast BT12 6AB, UK.
Dunn
F
F
McNicholl
B
B
Marlow
J
J
D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D009660:Northern Ireland; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013996:Time and Motion Studies; D014218:Triage / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014850:Waiting Lists