Triage Definition
The sorting of patients (as in an emergency room) according to the urgency of their need for care to maximize the number of survivors or utilization of resources. As a doctor’s time is often limited, nurses primarily perform this task with supervision from doctors.
Application
For the best use of our resources and for patients to get the quickest and best care possible, assistants and hygienist triage our patients.
Triage Process
These steps can take a great deal of time. Auxiliaries are more free to spend the necessary time for a thorough exam. We do not want this process to rushed and having auxiliaries perform triage adds a second set of eyes to verify treatment options given to patients.
80% of the time, an auxiliary should be able to know what the correct treatment option is even though they can’t diagnose. They can assist the patient in coming closer to an informed decision while waiting for the doctor. Only the doctors can diagnose and needs to always review the data before final decisions are made. Significant amounts of time can be saved and a more thorough exam can be performed with the proper use of auxiliaries in triaging patients.
Gathering Information
- First listen and interview the patient.
- This begins on the phone
- Watch your body language to establish trust with the patient
- Get a mirror and evaluate
- Always start conservative before taking any x-rays
- Take only x-rays that are needed after considering other data already collected
- PA, BW, or Cone Beam
- Make sure x-rays are diagnostic (covers the proper area, brightness and contrast, etc.)