Effect of Triage Education on Nurses’ Performance in Diverse Emergency Departments

Abstract

Context: Nurses are the primary anchorpersons of triage in emergency departments. Triage nurse should have the proper education and proficiency in emergency triage, decision making, and emergency nursing care. Training on triage is an integral part of emergency nursing education. Poor performance and lack of education are well documented in the literature.

Aim: This study aimed at evaluating the effect of triage education on emergency nurses’ performance in diverse emergency departments.

methods: Quasi-experimental (pre, post-test design) used to achieve the aim of this study. A purposive sample of one hundred fifty emergency nurses worked at pediatric, Obstetric, and adult emergency departments affiliated to three major governmental hospitals in Beni-Suef Governorate. Assessment of the nurses’ knowledge, practice, and attitude have been done using a self-administered questionnaire, triage competencies observational checklist, and nurses’ attitude measuring scale.

Results: The study revealed poor nurses’ triage knowledge, practice, and negative attitude for the studied nurses before triage education, compared to a significant improvement after triage educational program, with a statistically significant difference among the three-implementation phases (pre, post, and one month follow up).

Conclusion: The nurses who are subjected to triage education improved in their knowledge, practice, and attitude at the post-intervention evaluation compared to their pre-intervention level, which sustained after one month follow up. These findings support the study hypotheses. Based on these findings, the study recommended the publication and dissemination of the triage educational program. Besides, fostering and sustaining the improvements in practices regarding triage in ED through the orientation of new nurses, on the job training, and continuous education.