The message <004801c1d2a6$cb7ff7d0$0100a8c0@DADS>
from Ray McGlone <[log in to unmask]> contains these words:
> "If the department by some chance happens to be empty, the poor patient
> STILL has to be seen by a triage nurse before they get to see the doctor!
> Why?)"
> Well they don't. In Lancaster our A&E cards get printed out near the main
> nurse station where the doctors also are based. If the doctors are "free"
> when it's quiet they can see them straight away. They put their computer
> code in the Triage box on the card to satisfy the collection of statistics.
> I agree Triage shouldn't slow down the throughput of patients if it happens
> to be quiet.
Agreed. Trouble is, in our Minor Injuries Unit, (with knobs, bells and
whistles) equipment for recording temperature/SpO2/BP/Peak Flow is in
the Triage Room and not much duplicated elsewhere.
Its usually more efficient to record the basics in Triage (and maybe get
a urinalysis too) than for the doctor to traipse round in search of the
errant electric sphyg etc.
Failure to record (and act on) basic vital signs can lead to major
problems in anything more serious than a sprained ankle.
--
Helen D. Vecht: [log in to unmask]
Edgware.
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