Factors that influence triage decision-making using the ATS
A number of non-clinical factors are known to threaten the reliability and utility of
19. 34 five-tier triage scales. These factors relate to patient and environmental influences.
Environmental factors such as staffing, skill-mix and ED activity level must not influence urgency allocation.
The potential for a person to leave the ED without medical treatment is not considered a valid reason for upgrading a triage code. Additionally, caution must be exercised when a person has had multiple presentations to the ED with the same or similar complaints. In such situations it is essential that each presentation be assessed and triaged as a new episode. Frequency of presentations to the ED must not influence the allocation of a triage code.
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Department of Health and Ageing – Emergency Triage Education Kit