Triage is an essential function in Emergency Departments, where many patients may present simultaneously with a range of problems, some of which are emergent. Triage aims to ensure that patients are treated in order of clinical urgency and that treatment is delivered in a timely manner. It also allows for the allocation of patients to the most appropriate assessment and treatment area and provides information that helps describe departmental patient flow. Patients are triaged into categories based on their conditions, in line with triage guidelines for safety. Effective collaborative teamwork within the triage staff will assist the process.
This program is designed to introduce a unified, comprehensive approach to triage in the Emergency Department and is based on a critical-thinking approach.