title: Triage nurse X-ray protocols for hand and wrist injuries.
abstract: Enabling triage nurses to request X-rays has a number of benefits for patients and staff. This article describes the development of a protocol and in-house training programme that allows triage nurses to assess patients with hand and wrist injuries, make a differential diagnosis of potential fracture and request X-rays. The protocol not only improves patients' journeys, but also empowers members of the emergency department's nursing team to develop new skills.
authors.affiliation: Royal Alexandra Hospital, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hunter
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000193:education*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D011859:Radiography; D014218:Triage; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*