A review of factors affecting patient satisfaction with nurse led triage in emergency departments. (November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rehman, Salma Abdul; Ali, Parveen Azam
• Is Part Of: International emergency nursing. Volume 29(2017)
• Page Start: 38
• Page End: 44
• Publication Date: 2016-11
• Subjects: Systematic review -- Emergency -- Triage -- Triage nurse -- Patient satisfaction -- Nurse-led-triage; Emergency nursing -- Periodicals; 616.025
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ienj.2015.11.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1755-599X

Abstract

Highlights: Although nurse led triage has been practised for a while in some countries, in others it is still developing. There is no previous systematic review considering patient satisfaction with nurse led triage in Emergency Department (ED). Nurse led triage is mainly practised in developed countries such as UK, USA, Canada and Australia. Patients are satisfied with the nurse led triage service provided in EDs and are willing to be triaged by nurses. Abstract: Aim: To determine the factors that affect patient satisfaction with nurse-led-triage in EDs using a systematic review. Background: Nurses' involvement in the triage services provided in the Emergency Department has been an integral part of practice for several decades in some countries. Although studies exploring patient satisfaction with nurse-led ED triage exist, no systematic review of this evidence is available. Methods: MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycInfo, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Joanna Briggs Library and Google Scholar were searched (January 1980–June 2013). Result: Eighteen studies that met the inclusion criteria were reviewed. Factors that affect patient satisfaction with nurse-led-triage include nurses' abilities to provide patient centred care, communication skills, nurses' caring abilities, concern for the patient and competence in diagnosing and treating the health problem. Other factors include availability and visibility of nurses, provision of appropriate health related information in a jargon-free language, nurses' ability to answer questions, and an ability to provide patients with an opportunity to ask questions. Conclusion: There is continued scope for nurse-led-triage services in the ED. Patients are generally satisfied with the service provided by nurses in EDs and report a willingness to see the same professional again in the future if needed.