Trauma Triage Protocol Accuracy at Emergency Department: Improving Nurses` Competency and Self- Efficacy

Abstract

An accuracy of triage in trauma patients at the emergency department can assist them to receive appropriate treatment in time leading to decreased mortality and disability. Aim: An accuracy of triage in trauma patients at Emergency Department can assist them to receive appropriate treatment in time leading to decreased mortality and disability. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of improving nurses` competency and self – efficacy on trauma triage protocol accuracy at emergency department . Methods: The study was implemented through a quasi experimental design , in Surgical Emergency Department at El-Demerdash Hospital affiliated to Ain Shams University and Nasser Institute Hospital . Sample: A purposive sample included 60 emergency nurses, 30 from each hospital , pluse 200 trauma patients (100 from each hospital) . Tools: 1) Self administered questionnaire to assess emergency nurses' satisfactory knowledge (pre/post tests), 2) An observation checklist to assess emergency nurses ` satisfactory practices in trauma triage . 3) Nursing competency self-efficacy assessment sheet (pre/post tests) and 4) Patients condition outcomes (post test ) . 5) Patients` satisfaction level assessment sheet ( post tests) . Results: less than half of studied nurses at Ain Shams and Nasser Institute Hospitals had the age from 20 - < 30 yrs. and with diploma degree . As regards studied trauma patients , nearly one third of them had the age from 35- < 50 yrs .. knowledge and practices among studied nurses were improved in post tests . Conclusion : The study can concluded that improving nurses` competency (knowledge and practices) and self- efficacy through educational guidelines had a positive effect on the accuracy of trauma triage protocol added to patients` outcomes and satisfaction level . Recommendations: Further studies focused on large number of critical care nurses for results` evidence and generalization .