The first positive evidence that training improves triage decisions in Greece: evidence from emergency nurses at an Academic Tertiary Care Emergency Department
- Resource Type
- article
- Authors
- Sofia-Chrysovalantou Zagalioti; Barbara Fyntanidou; Aristomenis Exadaktylos; Konstantinos Lallas; Mairi Ziaka
- Source
- BMC Emergency Medicine, Vol 23, Iss 1, Pp 1-8 (2023)
- Subject
- Triage
Triage training
Emergency nurses
Decision-making
Special situations and conditions
RC952-1245
Medical emergencies. Critical care. Intensive care. First aid
RC86-88.9
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 1471-227X
Abstract Background Triage refers to the process of patient prioritisation in the emergency department (ED). This is based on the severity of the patient’s illness and is performed by emergency nurses (ENs). This has a pivotal role in ensuring patient safety and in ensuring that the ED operates smoothly – so continuous and accurate training are essential. As Emergency Nursing has been formally established in Greece since 2019, it is of the uppermost importance that all Greek ENs should be trained in the use of a standardised triage system. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of triage training of ENs in the use of the Swiss Triage System (STS) after an intervention of one week. Methods The effect of triage training was studied experimentally by comparing performance before and one week after training. A sample of thirty-six ENs from the University Department of Emergency Medicine at AHEPA University Hospital took part. The role of training in triage by the STS was assessed by completing the same self-administered questionnaire before and after a 45-minute e-learning program (presentation video of STS but with simulation scenarios) which was available during the period of a week. The post-training test was taken 2 weeks later, after the training process. Results The most promising finding was that there was a significant improvement in the number of correct answers after the training in triage (p