What happens at triage: a naturalistic observational study.
OBJECTIVE
To observe activity and delays at triage in an Emergency Department (ED) using the Manchester Triage System.


METHODS
Single-centre naturalistic observational design.


RESULTS
13% patients had observations recorded at triage. 13% of triage interactions were interrupted for an unrelated issue. The mean time to triage was 2.43 min, 0.95 min for patients arriving by ambulance.


CONCLUSIONS
Triage times and experience might be improved by reducing external interruptions to the triage process.
Clifford-Brown
Joanna
J
Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow, Essex, UK.
Challen
Kirsty
K
Ryan
Brendan
B
D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D014218:Triage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*