Assessment of knowledge and skills of triage amongst nurses working in the emergency centres in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

ABSTRACT

Introduction:The triage nurse in the emergency centre (EC) is the first person that a patient encounters and the triage nurses' knowledge has been cited as an influential factor in triage decision-making. The purpose was to assess the triaging knowledge and skills of nurses working in the ECs in Dar es Salaam; Tanzania.Methods:Both descriptive cross-sectional and observational study designs were used and data was collected using a structured questionnaire; an observation checklist and a triage equipment audit record. The study population was all nurses (enrolled and registered) working within the EC of the national hospital and three municipal district hospitals in Dar es Salaam. Descriptive statistical data analysis was carried out using SPSS 13.0.Results:Thirty three percent (20/60) of the respondents were not knowledgeable about triage. Thirteen percent of the respondents reported that although they had attended workshops; there had been a lack of information on how to triage patients. More than half (52) of the respondents were not able to allocate the patient to the appropriate triage category. Fifty eight percent (35/60) of the respondents had no knowledge on waiting time limits for the triaged categories. Among the four hospitals observed; only one had nurses specifically allocated for patients' triage. The respiratory rate of patients was not assessed by 84 of the triage nurses observed. No pain assessment was done by any of the triage nurses observed. Only one out of four ECs assessed had triage guidelines and triage assessment forms.Discussion:Nurses who participated in this study demonstrated significant deficits in knowledge and skills regarding patients' triaging in the EC. To correct these deficits; immediate in-service training/education workshops should be carried out; followed by continuous professional development on a regular basis; including refresher training; supportive supervision and clinical skills sessions