Content
The program aims to provide a nationally consistent approach to the educational preparation of nurses for the triage role, particularly the consistent application of the Australasian Triage Scale( ATS). 1, 2
The program’ s educational strategy integrates available evidence into a valid set of training tools. These tools are used by clinicians * performing triage in hospital EDs and those working in rural and remote area health services who make triage decisions as part of their role.
The program provides teaching strategies to assist educators in the delivery of specific triage training to suitably qualified and experienced emergency nurses.
In the context of rural and remote environments, the program can be used as a self-directed learning package because the core principles for consistent application of the ATS still apply.
2
Program structure
The course content has been designed to allow for the inclusion of locally based policies and protocols to optimise consistency of triage or reduce ED transit time. The program comprises the following 10 individual learning units.
• Chapter 1: |
Introduction |
• Chapter 2: |
The Australasian Triage Scale |
• Chapter 3: |
Communication issues at triage |
• Chapter 4: |
Triage basics |
• Chapter 5: |
Mental health triage |
• Chapter 6: |
Rural and remote triage |
• Chapter 7: |
Pain assessment at triage |
• Chapter 8: |
Paediatric triage |
• Chapter 9: |
Obstetric triage |
• Chapter 10: Medico – legal issues at triage. |
Each chapter comprises a summary of the key points related to the topic, lesson plans, learning activities and resource materials, including web-based materials, evidence-based reviews, research articles and opinion papers. A summary of each available resource is also provided, stating how the information can be used for training and / or practice.
* A clinician is defined as a registered nurse or medical practitioner who is performing triage.
Department of Health and Ageing – Emergency Triage Education Kit