Diagram 4.1: Recommended triage method
1. Patient presents for triage Safety hazards are considered above all
2. Assess the following:
• Chief complaint
• General appearance
• Airway
• Breathing
• Circulation
• Disability
• Environment
• Limited history
• Co-morbidities.
Yes
2. Quick evaluation Is the patient stable?
20
3. Differentiate predictors of poor outcome from other data collected during the triage assessment
No
4. Identify patients who have evidence of or are at high risk of physiological instability
5. Assign an appropriate ATS category in response to clinical assessment data member / s
6. Allocate staff to patient including brief handover to allocated staff member / s
7. ED model of care proceeds
Department of Health and Ageing – Emergency Triage Education Kit