Triage decision-making levels and affective factors of nurses working in cardiovascular emergency department and intensive care units: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Emergency department (ED) and intensive care units (ICUs) are areas where triage is frequently applied. This study was conducted to evaluate the triage decision-making levels and affective factors of nurses working in adult cardiovascular ED and ICUs.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary cardiovascular healthcare center. The triage decision-making levels of nurses were assessed by the "Triage Decision Making Inventory (TDMI)".

RESULTS

The mean age of the nurses (n = 110) was determined as 28.39 ± 4.71 years, the duration of working in ED/ICUs was determined as 45.47 ± 29.17 months and the duration of professional experience was determined as 65.35 ± 48.46 months. The majority of the nurses in the study were female (77.3%), single (61.8%), bachelor's degree graduates (76.4%) and night - day shift workers (76.4%). The mean TDMI total score of the nurses was determined as 171.12 ± 21.02. A statistically significant association was found between the nurses' age, duration of professional experience, gender, working type, receiving triage training after graduation and considering themselves competent in triage and their triage decision-making levels (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

It was determined that the triage decision-making levels of nurses working in adult cardiovascular ED and ICUs were high, but the majority of them did not consider themselves competent in triage. According to the results of this study, it is recommended that triage training of nurses be supported by institutions and triage roadmaps be created in clinics.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

Not applicable.