Knowledge, practice and perception of triage by staff of the emergency department of Ho Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Objective: This study sought to assess the knowledge, practice, and perception of triage by Emergency Department (ED) doctors and  nurses of a new teaching hospital in Ghana.
Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study. Data was collected using a structured self-filled questionnaire which had sections on  socio-demographic information of participants, knowledge, practice, and perception of triage. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis  of the results was done using Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25, respectively.
Results: Eighty-three ED staff participated in this study; 56 nurses and 27 doctors. Sixty-four participants had at least moderate level of  knowledge of South African Triage Scale (SATS). Their level of knowledge had statistically significant associations with their work experience (p = 0.032) and frequency of triaging (p = 0.000). Forty-nine participants had at least moderate level of triage practice skill.  Their scores had statistically significant associations with their level of triage knowledge (p = 0.011) and frequency of triaging (p = 0.001).  Majority of participants agreed that triaging is important in reducing waiting times (89%) and improving communication (92%).  Conclusion: The positive correlation between frequency of triaging and both knowledge and practice of triaging attests to the common  notion that practice makes perfect. Regular on-the-job training may result in improvement in this skill. Participation by ED doctors should  be encouraged.