Emergency Rooms and Triage Nurses: How They Work Together

If you’ve ever visited a hospital’s emergency room you’ve spoken to a triage nurse, but you may not be aware of how he or she affects how the patients are seen and treated by doctors.

When you arrive at the ER, you will register. After a short wait (hopefully) you will then be called to speak with a triage nurse. According to the Emergency Nurses Association, “general nursing school does not adequately prepare the emergency nurse for the complexities of the triage nurse role.” Therefore triage nurses should undergo an additional certification training to assess patient care.

What Can You Expect From a Triage Nurse
1. What is the nature of your injury/pain?

2. Rate your pain on a scale of 1 to 10.
3. How did your injury/pain occur?
4. The triage nurse will take your vital signs.

What You Should Tell the Triage Nurse
1. Any ongoing health conditions: diabetes, previous heart attack, etc.

2. Any medications you are taking.
3. Whether you are pregnant or could be pregnant.
4. Details about the nature of your pain (radiating pain, dull pain, sharp pain)

A triage nurse is responsible for assigning an order to which you will be seen. It’s important to make sure he or she has all of the pertinent information needed to make that assessment. However, sometimes triage nurses make a mistake. Any permanent injury (including death) that occurred while you or your loved one was waiting in the ER may be medical malpractice.

If you suspect there was an error by the triage nurse, call our office immediately. Our doctor/attorney Robert Messey and nurse/attorney Gayle Sullivan will begin an immediate medical and legal investigation into your claim.