title: Initial resuscitation for Australasian Triage Scale 2 patients in a Nepalese emergency department.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Triage is recognized as important in providing timely care to emergency patients. However, systematic triage is only practised in two EDs in Nepal. The first objective of this study was to assess the performance of one of these departments in seeing triaged patients in a timely fashion. Second, an epidemiological survey of patients presenting to the ED was performed to describe the conditions seen and initial resuscitation undertaken.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a descriptive cross-sectional study in the ED of B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, eastern Nepal where the Australasian Triage Scale (ATS) is used. One hundred and sixty patients triaged as ATS 2 were recruited. The time taken for the duty doctor to see the patient was noted. The presenting problems, vital signs and level of consciousness were measured at presentation. The resuscitation measures were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean waiting time was 2.1 ± 1.7 min with a range of 1-10 min, which meets the benchmark for ATS 2. At triage, the most common presenting problems were circulatory shock (23.1%), altered consciousness (21%), respiratory difficulty (16.9%) and poisoning (15%). Oxygen, i.v. fluids and antibiotics were the most common therapies used in the initial resuscitation of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients triaged as ATS 2 were seen in a timely fashion. Seriously ill patients requiring resuscitation present commonly to this ED. This is a big challenge for junior doctors. Improved training, treatment protocols and equipment are needed to help manage this burden.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice and Emergency Medicine, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal. bibhusan117@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Bibhusan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Basnet
authors.forename: Rabin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bhandari
authors.forename: Malcolm
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moore
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009390:Nepal; D017748:Time Management / Q000379:methods; D014218:Triage / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D014850:Waiting Lists