The use and feasibility of an online software system to support assessment of accuracy and consistency in applying the Australasian Triage Scale

Varndell, W; Hodge, A; Ryan, E; Fry, M

The use and feasibility of an online software system to support assessment of accuracy and consistency in applying the Australasian Triage Scale

Varndell, W

Hodge, A Ryan, E Fry, M

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Australasian Emergency Care, 2019, 22 (3), pp. 168 - 173
Issue Date:: 2019-09-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Varndell, W https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4752-9679	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Hodge, A	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Ryan, E	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Fry, M https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1265-7096	en_US
dc.date.available	2019-06-25	en_US
dc.date.issued	2019-09-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Australasian Emergency Care, 2019, 22 (3), pp. 168 - 173	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	2589-1375	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/135767
dc.description.abstract	© 2019 College of Emergency Nursing Australasia Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use and feasibility of a software system called the Triage Quality Assessment Software in New South Wales emergency departments, to assist in evaluating triage decision accuracy and consistency of emergency nurses in applying the Australasian Triage Scale. Method: A descriptive, exploratory study comprising of retrospective audit data and survey, was conducted 12-months post-implementation of the Triage Quality Assessment Software system. Results: Between January to December 2018, a total of 39 audits were completed comprising 4214 triage records, of which 3952 (93.3%) contained sufficient information to be evaluated. Triage decision accuracy was 58.3% with a moderate level (KW = 0.57) of consistency demonstrated. Overall feasibility was high (4.2). Findings confirmed learnability (4.3), usability (4.2) and acceptability (4.2) of Triage Quality Assessment Software. Conclusion: This is the first software system to be developed to assist in evaluating triage decision accuracy and consistency in applying the Australasian Triage Scale. This study provides evidence that triage decision accuracy and consistency are detectable and quantifiable. The feasibility of Triage Quality Assessment Software is supported, with further testing needed to fully evaluate its role in emergency department triage quality improvement.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Australasian Emergency Care	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.auec.2019.06.003	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Retrospective Studies	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Feasibility Studies	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Emergency Nursing	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Internet	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Software Design	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adolescent	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adult	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Aged	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Middle Aged	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Emergency Service, Hospital	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Triage	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Commission on Professional and Hospital Activities	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	New South Wales	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Male	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Surveys and Questionnaires	en_US
dc.title	The use and feasibility of an online software system to support assessment of accuracy and consistency in applying the Australasian Triage Scale	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	3	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	22	en_US
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	3	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	22	en_US

Abstract:

© 2019 College of Emergency Nursing Australasia Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use and feasibility of a software system called the Triage Quality Assessment Software in New South Wales emergency departments, to assist in evaluating triage decision accuracy and consistency of emergency nurses in applying the Australasian Triage Scale. Method: A descriptive, exploratory study comprising of retrospective audit data and survey, was conducted 12-months post-implementation of the Triage Quality Assessment Software system. Results: Between January to December 2018, a total of 39 audits were completed comprising 4214 triage records, of which 3952 (93.3%) contained sufficient information to be evaluated. Triage decision accuracy was 58.3% with a moderate level (KW = 0.57) of consistency demonstrated. Overall feasibility was high (4.2). Findings confirmed learnability (4.3), usability (4.2) and acceptability (4.2) of Triage Quality Assessment Software. Conclusion: This is the first software system to be developed to assist in evaluating triage decision accuracy and consistency in applying the Australasian Triage Scale. This study provides evidence that triage decision accuracy and consistency are detectable and quantifiable. The feasibility of Triage Quality Assessment Software is supported, with further testing needed to fully evaluate its role in emergency department triage quality improvement.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/135767