{"title":"A Systematic Review of the Impact of Nursing Triage on Length of Stay in Paediatric Emergency Department.","authors":"Luma Ghazi Alzamel, Duaa Fayiz Al-Maghaireh, Khitam Alsaqer","doi":"10.1111/jocn.17741","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Paediatric emergency departments (PEDs) treat children in urgent medical situations, and nursing triage plays a crucial role in determining their length of stay (LOS), a key metric for evaluating healthcare efficiency. This systematic review investigates the impact of nursing triage on LOS in paediatric emergency departments.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Searching electronic databases identified relevant studies meeting inclusion criteria, focusing on nursing triage and length of stay in the paediatric emergency department. Utilising the Let Evidence Guide Every New Decision (LEGEND) approach, quality assessment and data extraction were conducted independently by two reviewers.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Six studies met the inclusion criteria and were analysed. The review highlights multiple factors influencing LOS, including triage accuracy, patient acuity levels, nurse staffing and overcrowding. Inefficient triage processes and delays were identified as key contributors to prolonged LOS.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>This review underscores the critical role of efficient nursing triage in optimising patient flow and reducing LOS in paediatric emergency settings. Challenges such as nurse shortages, high patient volumes and inappropriate triage categorizations contribute to delays. Future research should focus on evaluating specific triage protocols, nurse training programmes, and integrating advanced technology to improve triage accuracy and efficiency. Implementing evidence-based strategies could significantly enhance patient outcomes and experiences in PEDs.</p><p><strong>Reporting method: </strong>The study adhered to the relevant EQUATOR reporting guidelines: the PRISMA Checklist for Systematic review was used.</p><p><strong>Patient or public contribution: </strong>No patient or public contribution.</p>","PeriodicalId":50236,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Clinical Nursing","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Clinical Nursing","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.17741","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"NURSING","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Paediatric emergency departments (PEDs) treat children in urgent medical situations, and nursing triage plays a crucial role in determining their length of stay (LOS), a key metric for evaluating healthcare efficiency. This systematic review investigates the impact of nursing triage on LOS in paediatric emergency departments.
Methods: Searching electronic databases identified relevant studies meeting inclusion criteria, focusing on nursing triage and length of stay in the paediatric emergency department. Utilising the Let Evidence Guide Every New Decision (LEGEND) approach, quality assessment and data extraction were conducted independently by two reviewers.
Results: Six studies met the inclusion criteria and were analysed. The review highlights multiple factors influencing LOS, including triage accuracy, patient acuity levels, nurse staffing and overcrowding. Inefficient triage processes and delays were identified as key contributors to prolonged LOS.
Discussion: This review underscores the critical role of efficient nursing triage in optimising patient flow and reducing LOS in paediatric emergency settings. Challenges such as nurse shortages, high patient volumes and inappropriate triage categorizations contribute to delays. Future research should focus on evaluating specific triage protocols, nurse training programmes, and integrating advanced technology to improve triage accuracy and efficiency. Implementing evidence-based strategies could significantly enhance patient outcomes and experiences in PEDs.
Reporting method: The study adhered to the relevant EQUATOR reporting guidelines: the PRISMA Checklist for Systematic review was used.
Patient or public contribution: No patient or public contribution.
期刊介绍：
The Journal of Clinical Nursing (JCN) is an international, peer reviewed, scientific journal that seeks to promote the development and exchange of knowledge that is directly relevant to all spheres of nursing practice. The primary aim is to promote a high standard of clinically related scholarship which advances and supports the practice and discipline of nursing. The Journal also aims to promote the international exchange of ideas and experience that draws from the different cultures in which practice takes place. Further, JCN seeks to enrich insight into clinical need and the implications for nursing intervention and models of service delivery. Emphasis is placed on promoting critical debate on the art and science of nursing practice.
JCN is essential reading for anyone involved in nursing practice, whether clinicians, researchers, educators, managers, policy makers, or students. The development of clinical practice and the changing patterns of inter-professional working are also central to JCN''s scope of interest. Contributions are welcomed from other health professionals on issues that have a direct impact on nursing practice.
We publish high quality papers from across the methodological spectrum that make an important and novel contribution to the field of clinical nursing (regardless of where care is provided), and which demonstrate clinical application and international relevance.
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