I am more positive about this than contributors thus far. It's certainly not
rocket science but I believe it can have a positive impact if implemented
correctly. My opinion is it needs more than a simple conversion of the
triage nurse. It needs a dedicated practitioner [Con, ENP, SG or Reg -
possibly SHO after appropriate training] with an assistant [perhaps the
ex-triage nurse] to perform simple treatments [dressings, SS, tet. tox.
etc.], and a dedicated area separated from the main dept.
The triage process Adrian describes ["value added" triage] still has a
place, but on the "majors" side where patients can be worked up prior to a
medical assessment. Rather than wait for patients to become really cheesed
off after 4 or 5 hours wait and then implement it, I would favour it
replacing traditional triage on the minors side at peak hours [say 09.00 -
20.00]. There are of course resource and training issues but I don't think
they're insurmountable.
That woman was incredibly patronising though!
Best wishes, Bill
----- Original Message -----
From: Danny McGeehan <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, November 22, 2002 9:18 AM
Subject: Re: See and Treat
> Colleagues
> I see from the attendees list that there was a large turn out for
yesterday's study day in Manchester on the above topic. Unfortunately I
couldn't attend. Through the list I would like to canvas people's opinions.
Without wishing to offend some of the quasi acaedemics who seem to flourish
on this list I will keep my own council but I would value other comments.
>
> Danny McGeehan
>
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