Implementing a triage system in an emergency unit: a literature review

Abstract

Wars have laid the foundation on which today's triage is based. Triage is used during disasters, at accident scenes and in the trauma and emergency units of hospitals to sort patients according to the acuity of their injuries/conditions and the type of care they require. Nurses are usually the people who receive the patient first and who assess the priority of the patient's immediate needs. In addition, the nurse also intervenes by taking immediate action to prevent the deterioration of the patient's condition and/or to implement life-saving interventions. Qualified, professional nurses are therefore required. The locations and equipment of the health care facility must suit patients' needs. Triage classification systems provide nurses with the guidelines they need to judge the triaging of patients. The triage system is designed to enable professional emergency personnel to take informed decisions and to reduce mortality and morbidity rates among trauma cases.