A perception survey on the roles of nurses during triage in a selected public hospital in Kwazulu-Natal Province, South Africa

Abstract

Introduction triage is gradually becoming an autonomous nursing role essential to patients' safety and the efficient delivery of emergency care. The increased need for more holistic and advanced care during triage makes the role of nurses during triage highly indispensable. However, several studies have shown that nurse-led triage has been so successful over the years in most African countries and in other developing countries. South African Triage Scale (SATS) is an example of triage tool that was designed in such a way that the lowest cadre nurse can successfully implement. The success recorded by this tool made most African countries and some other developing countries adopt the tool. The study was designed to explore the roles of nurses during triage in a selected public hospital in KwaZulu-Natal province. Methods this study utilized a quantitative approach, in which a non-experimental survey involving convenience sampling technique was chosen as the most suitable sampling technique for the study. Recognition-primed decision model formed the framework of the study. Ethical clearance was obtained from University of KwaZulu-Natal Ethics Review Board and ethics principles were observed during the study. Results the result of the study indicated that majority (100%) of the respondents perceived that nurses have lots of roles to perform during triage. They further unveiled that it is highly paramount for nurses to manage the waiting room and control overcrowding in the unit. Conclusion the study draws on the need for qualified and experienced nurses to be in charge of these roles in order to reduce the mortality and morbidity rates that usually occur during triage administration.

Association between triage nurses' job satisfaction and professional capability: Results of a mixed‐method study

“…Simultaneously, they have to judge and consider available resources to optimize the provision of safe and quality patient care in the emergency department. Similarly, other researchers pointed out that the TN is expected to prioritize patients appropriately, in a suitable timeline, to provide health care education when needed and to ensure a safe environment for the patients and employees in the waiting room and throughout the emergency department (Aloyce et al, 2014 ; Bijani et al, 2020 ; Cotič Anderle & Bračko, 2019 ; Ebrahimi et al, 2016 ; Olofinbiyi et al, 2020 ). A survey conducted in Slovenia showed that nurses believe that at least 2–10 years of work experience is needed to perform triage activities effectively (Cotič‐Anderle, 2011 ).…”

Knowledge, Practice and Perception of Triage By Staff of the Emergency Department of Ho Teaching Hospital

“…This generally aligned with the findings in previous studies. 19,27,28 However, only about 42% of participants believed that the SATS was consistent and not user dependent. This unfavourable sentiment was also highlighted in a Ugandan study among both doctors and nurses 28 , and could be possibly due to poor training on the SATS, causing incorrect triaging which subsequently may lead to delayed care and poorer outcomes.…”

Faktor – Faktor yang Berhubungan dengan Kinerja Perawat dalam Melakukan Triase di IGD Rumah Sakit Kutacane

“…Mengingat banyaknya pasien yang mengunjungi UGD, yang dapat mengakibatkan masa tunggu pasien dan keterlambatan dalam menyelesaikan situasi darurat, perawat yang bertugas di UGD harus bertanggung jawab atas penyortiran pasien (Olofinbiyi et al, 2020). Praktik mengklasifikasikan pasien menurut jenis dan tingkat keparahan kondisinya dengan mempertimbangkan ketersediaan fasilitas, staf, dan pasien potensial dikenal sebagai triase (Bazyar et al, 2019).…”