What is triage and how do we decide which patient to treat next?
Who should use Emergency?
The Alice Springs Hospital Emergency Department deals with many different illness and injuries. You should come here if you problem is urgent and needs immediate treatment.
You should ask yourself, "Could my GP deal with this problem?" If the answer is "yes" then you have considered seeing him or her rather than waiting here.
Patients with more serious problems must come first, no matter when they arrive.
We do not see people strictly by time of arrival.
What is triage?
Triage is a term used to describe the process of sorting patients into groups according to the urgency of their illness or injury. An experienced nurse will assess you soon after arrival. He or she will perform any first aid that you need.
You will then be put into one of five groups. These groups reflect how soon you need treatment from a doctor.
What are the Triage Groups?
- Group 1 - Patients who need immediate attention. These are patients who have extremely serious injuries or illnesses and who might die if they are not treated straight away. For example, cardiac arrest, major motor vehicle accidents, immediately life-threatening conditions.
- Group 2 - Patients who need very urgent treatment. These are patients with serious injuries or illnesses and who might deteriorate or suffer long-term problems if they do not receive very urgent treatment. For example, heart attacks, severe uncontrolled bleeding.
- Group 3 - Patients who need urgent treatment. These are patients who have severe, but not immediate life threatening injuries or illness and need to be treated fairly urgently. For example, moderate asthma, post seizure.
- Group 4 - Patients who need the skills of staff but do not need urgent treatment. These are patients who will not deteriorate if they have to wait for treatment. For example, sprains and strains, simple cuts and most ankle or arm fractures.
- Group 5 - Patients who need to see a doctor but whose treatment can be delayed, e.g. could be sen by a General Practioner. For example, long term problems, coughs and colds, medication prescriptions, medical certificates.
Which patients will be seen first?
- Group 1patients will be seen immediately by medical staff and have absolute priority
- Group 2 patients will be seen as soon as possible, preferably within 10 minutes of arrival but not until all Group 1 patients have been seen
- Group 3 patients will be seen as soon as possible, but not until all Group 2 patients have been seen
- Group 4 patients will be seen, but not until all Group 3 patients have been seen
- Group 5 patients will not be seen until all other patients in Groups 1,2,3, and 4 have been seen
Triage is a dynamic process. Once you have received simple first aid treatment you may be put into a lower group; or if you condition deteriorates while you are waiting, you will be put into a higher group.
Please see the triage nurse if your condition changes or you have any further questions.