A descriptive study of registered nurses’ application of the triage scale RETTS© : a Swedish reliability study

• BackgroundFrom a patient safety perspective, it is of great importance that decision support systems such as triage scales are evidence based. In the most recent national survey, the majority of Swedish Emergency Departments (EDs) apply the Swedish triage scale known as the Medical Emergency Triage Treatment Scale (METTS), subsequently renamed the Rapid Emergency Triage Treatment Scale (RETTS©). Despite national widespread implementation, there has been limited research on METTS/RETTS©.AimTo determine the reliability of application by registered nurses of the RETTS© triage scale in two Swedish emergency departments.MethodsIn this prospective, cross-sectional study at two EDs, 46 written patient scenarios were triaged by 28 registered nurses (RNs). Data were analysed with descriptive statistics and Fleiss kappa (κ).ResultsThe RNs allocated 1281 final triage levels. There was concordance in seven (15%) of the scenarios, and dispersion over two or more triage levels in 39 (85%). Dispersion across the stable/unstable patient boundary was found in 21 (46%) scenarios. Fleiss κ was 0.562, i.e. moderate agreement.ConclusionThe inability of the triage scale to distinguish between stable/unstable patients can lead to serious consequences from a patient safety perspective. No general pattern regarding concordance or dispersion was found.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Annan medicin och hälsovetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Other Medical and Health Sciences (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Emergency service

Hospitals

Patient safety

Patient scenarios

Nurses

Nursing staff

Reliability – reproducibility of results

Triage – emergency service

Vårdvetenskap

Caring Science

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

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