Use of an innovative technology and Markov models to record and analyze the triage procedure in an emergency centre

Abstract

To perform this task, triage nurses (IAO for Infirmiere d’Accueil et d’Orientation) need a working tool. In the University Hospital of Geneva (HUG), this tool is a paper-based two-sided page. The front side contains fields about anamnesis and the backside a list of motive code for consultation with possible emergency levels. This paper is used as a transmission support but also as a working paper to state about the main problem presented by the patient, the emergency level and the orientation in accord with the actual service flow. The life cycle of the paper ends when the patient is taken for active care. Between the step of an orientation choice and the active care, the triage form is often completed with observations, new constants, etc.