The Result of ESI Patient Triage, Waiting time and Triage Role Perception of Professional Nurse in Out-patient Department at Krathumban Hospital

Abstract

Objectives : This is study, which aim to study the triage situation of outpatient department, analysis the result of using triage guideline implementing on waiting time and triage nurse role as perceived by professional nurse of outpatient department at Krathumbaen Hospital. 

Methods : This study is a descriptive research project. The sample included two groups: one comprised 384 outpatient medical records classified at ESI level 3 between 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022, selected through simple random sampling based on specified criteria and retrospective data collection. The other group consisted of 28 outpatient professional nurses chosen through purposive sampling. We utilized the Emergency Severity Index Triage Algorithm Version 4, translated into Thai and adapted as MOPH ED TRIAGE by the Department of Medicine. Data collection instruments included outpatient medical records, a Triage role’s professional nurse perception questionnaire developed from a literature review, and a Triage Guideline. These instruments underwent content validity testing by three experts, resulting in value of 1. Additionally, the Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient was 0.88. Data  analysis involved descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviations.

Result : 1) The triage situation of the Out-patient had 1 Professional nurse on duty from 7: 00 a.m. – 3: 00 p.m. for Primary triage  new and old patients according to service condition also respiratory system screening 2) The average waiting time from patients submitting to receiving treatment was 83.72 minutes. That is not to ESI standard time. and 3) Triage nursing role as perceived by professional nurse was at highest level ( = 4.62, SD = 0.36)

Conclusion : The Patient Triage Guideline could be applied to  triage patients in the context of the outpatient department service.