Abstract：
BACKGROUND: International research suggests that triage nurses\' decision-making practices and training experiences vary significantly across emergency departments (EDs). However, there does not appear to be similar research published in the UK. Understanding factors, such as demographics, training and decision-making could provide a picture of triage nurses working in UK EDs, identify the interventions required to improve practice and inform further research.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the demographics, training experiences and decision-making practices of registered nurses who assess patient acuity at triage in UK EDs.
METHODS: The study used an online, descriptive, cross-sectional survey design.
RESULTS: A total of 51 triage nurses from across the UK responded to the survey. Most (61) had achieved a bachelor\'s degree as their highest qualification, while 3 had postgraduate qualifications. Respondents had a median of seven years since qualifying, six years working in their current ED and five years working in triage and used a range of titles to describe their role. Low staffing and busy ED environments increased respondents\' stress levels, which affected confidence in triage decision-making abilities among less experienced nurses. More experienced respondents coped with their stress by relying on their knowledge and skills. Not all respondents had received triage training, and for those that had, the training varied in type and frequency across EDs. Overall, respondents had low satisfaction with the amount, quality and content of the training they had received.
CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for safer staffing levels in EDs and greater support for staff welfare. The development of national standards, incorporating defined knowledge and skills and set time periods for refresher training, is required to enhance triage practice in EDs.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the demographics, training experiences and decision-making practices of registered nurses who assess patient acuity at triage in UK EDs.
METHODS: The study used an online, descriptive, cross-sectional survey design.
RESULTS: A total of 51 triage nurses from across the UK responded to the survey. Most (61) had achieved a bachelor\'s degree as their highest qualification, while 3 had postgraduate qualifications. Respondents had a median of seven years since qualifying, six years working in their current ED and five years working in triage and used a range of titles to describe their role. Low staffing and busy ED environments increased respondents\' stress levels, which affected confidence in triage decision-making abilities among less experienced nurses. More experienced respondents coped with their stress by relying on their knowledge and skills. Not all respondents had received triage training, and for those that had, the training varied in type and frequency across EDs. Overall, respondents had low satisfaction with the amount, quality and content of the training they had received.
CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for safer staffing levels in EDs and greater support for staff welfare. The development of national standards, incorporating defined knowledge and skills and set time periods for refresher training, is required to enhance triage practice in EDs.
摘要：
背景：国际研究表明，各个急诊科（ED）的分诊护士决策实践和培训经验差异很大。然而,在英国似乎没有发表类似的研究。了解因素，例如人口统计，培训和决策可以提供在英国ED工作的分诊护士的照片，确定改进实践并为进一步研究提供信息所需的干预措施。
目标：为了探索人口统计学，在英国ED中评估患者分诊时视力的注册护士的培训经验和决策实践。
方法：这项研究使用了在线，描述性,描述性横断面调查设计。
结果：来自英国各地的51名分诊护士对调查做出了回应。大多数（61）已经取得了学士学位作为他们的最高资格，3有研究生学历。受访者自排位赛以来的中位数为七年，在他们目前的ED工作了六年，在分诊工作了五年，并使用了一系列的头衔来描述他们的角色。低人员配备和繁忙的ED环境增加了受访者的压力水平，这影响了经验不足的护士对分诊决策能力的信心。更有经验的受访者依靠他们的知识和技能来应对压力。并非所有受访者都接受过分诊培训，对于那些有，不同ED的训练类型和频率各不相同。总的来说,受访者对金额满意度较低，他们接受的培训的质量和内容。
结论：需要在ED中更安全的人员配置水平和更多的员工福利支持。制定国家标准,纳入定义的知识和技能，并设定进修培训的时间段，需要加强ED的分诊实践。
目标：为了探索人口统计学，在英国ED中评估患者分诊时视力的注册护士的培训经验和决策实践。
方法：这项研究使用了在线，描述性,描述性横断面调查设计。
结果：来自英国各地的51名分诊护士对调查做出了回应。大多数（61）已经取得了学士学位作为他们的最高资格，3有研究生学历。受访者自排位赛以来的中位数为七年，在他们目前的ED工作了六年，在分诊工作了五年，并使用了一系列的头衔来描述他们的角色。低人员配备和繁忙的ED环境增加了受访者的压力水平，这影响了经验不足的护士对分诊决策能力的信心。更有经验的受访者依靠他们的知识和技能来应对压力。并非所有受访者都接受过分诊培训，对于那些有，不同ED的训练类型和频率各不相同。总的来说,受访者对金额满意度较低，他们接受的培训的质量和内容。
结论：需要在ED中更安全的人员配置水平和更多的员工福利支持。制定国家标准,纳入定义的知识和技能，并设定进修培训的时间段，需要加强ED的分诊实践。
