34
Table 5.1: Mental health triage tool 50( cont)
Triage code – |
|
|
|
Treatment acuity |
Description |
Typical presentation |
General management principles * |
Supervision General observation( see definition below)
Observed – Cooperative
– Communicative and able to engage in developing management plan
– Able to discuss concerns – Compliant with instructions
No danger to self or others – No acute distress – No behavioural disturbance
5 – Non-urgent Within 120 minutes
Action – Discuss with mental health triage – Refer to treating team if case-managed
Australasian Triage Scale 1 states: – Known patient with chronic symptoms – Social crisis, clinically well patient Reported – Known patient with chronic psychotic symptoms – Pre-existing non-acute mental health disorder – Known patient with chronic unexplained somatic symptoms – Request for medication – Minor adverse effect of medication – Financial, social, accommodation, or relationship problems
Management Definitions 2 Continuous visual surveillance = person is under direct visual observation at all times Close observation = regular observation at a maximum of 10 minute intervals Intermittent observation = regular observation at a maximum of 30 minute intervals General observation = routine waiting room check at a maximum of 1 hour intervals
* Management principles may differ according to individual health service protocols and facilities.
1 Australasian College of Emergency Medicine( 2000). Guidelines for the implementation of the Australasian
Triage Scale( ATS) in Emergency Departments.
2
South Eastern Sydney Area Health Service Mental Health Triage guidelines for Emergency Departments
Acknowledgements NICS acknowledges existing triage tools provided by Barwon Health
Department of Health and Ageing – Emergency Triage Education Kit