Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Corinne Wheeler

Abstract

AbstractThe triage process is an important precursor to ensuring expeditious and appropriate medical care in the Emergency Department (ED). There is a positive correlation between proper triage technique and improved patient outcomes, making triage an essential issue for nursing practice. The purpose of this project addressed the results of a staff education program directed at teaching the Emergency Severity Index (ESI) Triage System to 42 triage nurses working in an ED in a critical access facility in the rural Midwest. The practice-focused problem for this project was as follows: Will a staff educational program improve understanding of the ESI triage system? The theoretical frameworks for this project included analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation (ADDIE) and Knowles’ theory of adult learning principles. The learning material was adapted from Emergency Severity Index (ESI), a triage tool for emergency department care published by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Pre- and post-test scores completed by the 42 triage nurses enrolled in the learning sessions were examined. Comparison of the pre- and posttest scores revealed a marked improvement of staff understanding of concepts of the ESI. Scores from the pre- and post-tests were evaluated using descriptive statistics and a paired-sample t-test, showing that participation in the education program resulted in increased knowledge in triage using ESL in all participants. After review of past peer reviewed studies and the results of this focused intervention, a recommendation was made to support the implementation of this teaching project to similar triage settings. Improved education will support the success of implementing and maintaining standardized triage systems.

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