Let's have standards for triage education and practice

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: The purpose of this paper is to stimulate discussion among emergency nursing colleagues regarding the need for national practice standards guiding the development of triage education and practice. Method: A survey of six emergency nurses who had just completed a comprehensive triage educational program were asked about triage education and practice. Participants had varying levels of triage experience and worked in emergency departments located in metropolitan, outer metropolitan and semirural areas of Sydney. Results: Triage education was considered essential for the development of expertise. Participants advocated the use of several methods, most favoured the completion of a comprehensive triage course along with mentoring by senior nurses in the clinical setting. Mentoring was highly valued because it was said to allow the novice to gain practical on-the-job experience. There was also preference for a course with a mixed cohort of students who were employed by different hospitals. It was believed that a mixed cohort would promote networking and the exchange of ideas and practices. Discussion: There was no evidence within this study of a formalised approach to the development of triage expertise. If triage practice is to be valued and remain in the control of emergency nurses then standardisation of triage practice has to begin with formalised education and practice. Results from this study can be used to stimulate discussion regarding the development of a draft set of practice standards.