The accuracy of nurse-led triage of adult patients in the emergency centre of urban private hospitals

Polish Perspective: The Influence of National Emergency Severity Index Training on Triage Practitioners' Knowledge

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the national government initiative Emergency Severity Index version 4.0 validated triage training on triage practitioners' knowledge and accuracy.

METHODS

This pre/post intervention study evaluated the knowledge of triage practitioners, who constituted 30% of employees trained by the national program, in 74 emergency departments across Poland in 2020. Statistical analysis was used to evaluate the impact of the triage training.

RESULTS

No significant differences in triage knowledge were found based on experience, length of ED service, or previous training. Training resulted in increased accuracy (61.3% vs 81.1%) and decreased overtriage and undertriage. Participants significantly reduced errors and improved Emergency Severity Index guideline-based case evaluations, especially for Emergency Severity Index 1-3 cases, with the most notable improvements observed among those without prior triage experience. The training significantly improved interrater reliability.

DISCUSSION

The Emergency Severity Index pilot training demonstrated a significant improvement in the accuracy of triage practitioners. Emergency Severity Index level 4 has been identified as a challenging area to learn, as well as yielding promising results in the acquisition of knowledge across levels 1 and 2, among less experienced practitioners.

Nurses and emergency nursing care in Botswana

The emergency nursing role is incredibly challenging in Africa, and Botswana is no exception due to the lack of qualified nursing staff, the lack of specialty training, and the demanding work environment. Botswana's use of the primary healthcare system to provide treatment to all, including those in need of urgent care, demonstrates the necessity of integrating emergency care services into primary healthcare. Our objective with this manuscript is to demonstrate the value of emergency nursing as a specialty in Botswana.