title: Knowledge of Emergency Department Triage nurses in management of patients with mental health needs: comparisons with the Triage Model of Lazio (TLM).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To refer the current competences of Triage Nurses (TRNs) assessing the person with metal health problems in Emergency Departments (ED), and the impact of the Triage Lazio Model (TLM) upon it.
  
  
  METHODS
  An anonymous questionnaire was administered to ED TRNs of the Lazio Region. Standardized Cronbach's alpha was used for reliability estimation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Cronbach's alpha was 0.4. Two hundred ninety-nine TRNs were interviewed: 66% women, 47% aged 31-40 years, 60% followed TLM. The consideration of the patient as 'one who comes out of the normal', 'a person with altered functions of mind or mental function' and as 'hostile, aggressive and unpredictable' was reported more by females in comparison to the males (OR=1.76; OR=3.50; OR=1.79); TRNs who have not followed the course on TLM had higher probability to consider 'hostile, aggressive and unpredictable' the psychiatric patients (OR=1.87) in comparison with other Triage courses; those who have taken a course on Triage but at least 3 years ago, had a lower probability to consider as 'one who comes out of the normal' (OR=0.55).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  having followed the course TLM, having participated in a recent triage course, male gender, and the seniority in this job appear to be contributing factors for a proper management of psychiatric patients. Continuous improvement of specific knowledge and skills for the management of patients with mental health needs are mandatory.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Infection Diseases, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mannocci
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Infection Diseases, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meggiolaro
authors.affiliation: Triage Registred Nurse Emergency Department A. Hospital S. Camillo-Forlanini, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Feller
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Infection Diseases, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: La Torre
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department Policlinico "Umberto I", "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Guzzo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014218:Triage / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Emergency department triage; Metal health; Risk management; Triage Model Lazio; Triage decision making,