Telephonic Nurse Triage ?

SmilingBluEyes · Jul 27, 2005

There are excellent algorithms/books out there. If you are running a telephone triage, you need an algorithm and policy to which everyone adheres and is clear. If not, someone needs to develop one one ASAP.

One such book to consult for assistance is below. Meantime, maybe someone who does tele triage in an ED or "ask a nurse" line may have some more specifics to share. Or you could try calling the ED/Triage nurses in your area and asking them for examples/algorithms. Good luck.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=In0Ri5JAu6&isbn=0781727863&itm=1

mdrkan · Jul 27, 2005

Thank you smilingBlueEyes, I appreciate your advice. The book you recommended looks perfect. Wish I knew an ED Nurse, that would be perfect.

If, however, anyone may have an example to share I would be thrilled to receive it.

Again Thank you very much,

Karen

FloridaRN

mdrkan · Jul 27, 2005

Hello Again,

I neglected to include this in my last posting related to triage nursing...

Does a Triage Nurse need to be licensed in the states where he/she is providing the service, or just the state from which they are working out of?

norma_njm · Nov 18, 2005

Sorry it's so long since you posted your question. I've just found this blog. I'm fairly new to Telephonic Triage, but I have answers to both your questions. 1) Concerning a fever script, where I work (a Medicaid HMO) we're taught that it's rare to have only a fever to triage. Usually there is/are some kind of other symptoms that you can triage & in which you'll triage the fever, also. If it's an infant of 12 weeks or less age with a temp of 100.4 degrees F or more rectally, if it's a temp. of over 105 degrees F, or if the member denies any accompanying symptoms, which is rare, then we triage the fever. In 4 months of full time hours, I think I've used the fever algorithym twice. 2) I work and am licensed in Ohio. My company manages Medicaid in Ohio, Michigan & Indiana. I haven't had to have licenses from those other states to triage those members. However, we're planning to contract with someone in California, and maybe in New York, & I understand we're being required to be licensed in those states in order to triage people from there. So far it seems that taking their state boards is not part of getting licensed. There's probably more to all of this, but I don't know anymore specifics. Happy triaging!!! Nursing in Ohio

webbiedebbie · Nov 18, 2005

I work telphone triage. We don't usually use the fever algo unless it is of unknown origin. We ask if there are other symptoms (probe) related to the fever, which will bring up fever in that algo.

Yes, you must be licensed in other states if you are triaging for those states. Currently we have Pennsylvania, Massachusettes, New York, California, and Washington. Those are the only ones right now that I know of.

mdrkan · Nov 19, 2005

Thanks for your responses and for the education as it is most appreciated.

Sincerely

Karen

Florida RN