The Role Descriptions of Triage Nurse in Emergency Department: A Delphi Study

Abstract EN

Background.

Triage nurses play a pivotal role in the emergency department.

However some researchers have attempted to expand triage nurse’s role; remarkable discrepancies exist among scholarly communities.

The aim was to develop a role description of triage nurse relying on the experts.

Methods.

A modified Delphi study consisting of 3 rounds was performed from March to October 2014.

In the first round, an extensive review of the literature was conducted.

Expert selection was conducted through a purposeful sample of 38 emergency medicine experts.

Results.

Response rates for the second and third rounds were 37% and 58%.

Average age of panelists was ( 38.42 ± 5.94 ) years.

Thirty-nine out of 54 items reached to the final round.

Prioritizing had the higher agreement rate and least agreement on triage related interventions.

Conclusion.

Triage nursing as a relatively new role for nurses needs significant development to be practiced.

Comprehensive educational programs and developmental research are required to support diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in triage practice by nurses.