Nurse triage errors and their relationship with patient outcomes in emergency departments

Q2 Nursing

International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences Pub Date : 2025-01-01 DOI:10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100902

Mohammad Khajehgoodari , Babak Najafi , Ali Sabzi Matanagh , Mojgan Lotfi , Reza Shabanloei

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate triage error of nurses and its relationship with triage outcomes in patients referred to the emergency departments. It specifically addressed the challenges, obstacles, and problems associated with the triage process.

Materials and methods

In this descriptive-correlational study, 323 patient triage records were selected using proportional stratified random sampling. Data were collected via a researcher-developed triage evaluation checklist validated by ten nursing faculty members. The checklist had three sections: factors affecting triage (including nurse characteristics and triage unit conditions), identification of triage errors, and triage outcomes. Additional data were obtained from patient history, physician orders, nursing reports, and case summaries when forms were incomplete. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistical tests in SPSS software.

Findings

The study found that the majority of triage nurses were female, and all had completed annual triage training courses. The overall rate of triage errors was 49 %, with 31.3 % over triage and 17.7 % under triage. Adverse outcomes occurred in 62 % of error cases and a statistically significant association was observed between errors and outcomes.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that triage in emergency departments is frequently conducted insufficiently. It is imperative to implement comprehensive measures, including the recruitment of specialized personnel (such as physicians, nurses, and practical nurses), ensuring adequate staffing and equipment, conducting competency assessments, and providing simulation-based training. Furthermore, the adoption of standardized, evidence-based triage policies and procedures is essential to enhance the effectiveness and reliability of the process.

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急诊科护士分诊错误及其与患者预后的关系

目的探讨急诊科护士分诊错误及其与分诊结果的关系。它具体解决了与分诊过程相关的挑战、障碍和问题。材料与方法本描述性相关研究采用比例分层随机抽样方法，选取323例患者分诊记录。数据是通过研究人员开发的分诊评估清单收集的，该清单由10名护理教员验证。清单有三个部分：影响分诊的因素（包括护士特征和分诊单位条件）、分诊错误的识别和分诊结果。当表格不完整时，从患者病史、医嘱、护理报告和病例摘要中获得其他数据。数据分析采用SPSS软件的描述性和分析性统计检验。研究发现，大多数分诊护士都是女性，而且都完成了年度分诊培训课程。分诊错误率为49%，其中超过分诊的占31.3%，低于分诊的占17.7%。62%的错误病例发生了不良结果，并且在统计上观察到错误和结果之间存在显著的关联。结论急诊科的分诊工作往往不够充分。必须实施综合措施，包括招聘专业人员（如医生、护士和实用护士），确保足够的人员和设备，进行能力评估，并提供模拟培训。此外，采用标准化的循证分类政策和程序对于提高这一进程的有效性和可靠性至关重要。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences Nursing-Nursing (all)

CiteScore

2.40

自引率

0.00%

发文量

114

审稿时长

21 weeks

期刊介绍： International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences (IJANS) is an international scientific journal published by Elsevier. The broad-based journal was founded on two key tenets, i.e. to publish the most exciting research with respect to the subjects of Nursing and Midwifery in Africa, and secondly, to advance the international understanding and development of nursing and midwifery in Africa, both as a profession and as an academic discipline. The fully refereed journal provides a forum for all aspects of nursing and midwifery sciences, especially new trends and advances. The journal call for original research papers, systematic and scholarly review articles, and critical papers which will stimulate debate on research, policy, theory or philosophy of nursing as related to nursing and midwifery in Africa, technical reports, and short communications, and which will meet the journal''s high academic and ethical standards. Manuscripts of nursing practice, education, management, and research are encouraged. The journal values critical scholarly debate on issues that have strategic significance for educators, practitioners, leaders and policy-makers of nursing and midwifery in Africa. The journal publishes the highest quality scholarly contributions reflecting the diversity of nursing, and is also inviting international scholars who are engaged with nursing and midwifery in Africa to contribute to the journal. We will only publish work that demonstrates the use of rigorous methodology as well as by publishing papers that highlight the theoretical underpinnings of nursing and midwifery as it relates to the Africa context.