<[log in to unmask]> writes
>"Triage creep" is a pernicious trend to triage patients with regard to your
>ability to see them rather than the patients real need for care.
The other pernicious trend is towards "triage fixing", as meeting
targets becomes more important than providing care. I know of at least
one teaching hospital that had a highly experienced nursing sister sit
at the front desk to say hello to (sorry, triage) incoming patients
before their official arrival time at reception, so all the triage times
were effectively instantaneous: whoopy-do, well-done, 5 stars on the
performance table. But the same patients then waited endlessly, to be
seen by the poorly paid, demotivated auxillary who was employed to
replace the Sister "on the shop floor".
>Every demand from patients and managers should be seen as an opportunity to
>argue for and secure more resources.
Correct: targets can be used as a double edged sword: we try, we fail,
they give us more cash. NOT! in reality, the target becomes de-
emphasized (management speak to avoid spending anything)
John: how much %GDP does NZ spend on healthcare? Certainly from
colleagues who have worked in that little island off your coast (Aus-
something), antipodean staffing levels in A&E seem approx. 50% more (per
attender) than here. I dream of working in departments with enough staff
to see patients as quickly as they should be.
Dr G Ray
Staff Grade
A&E
Sussex
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