{"id":40394,"date":"2023-08-30T14:01:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-30T18:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/answerstat.com\/?p=40394"},"modified":"2023-11-03T12:32:38","modified_gmt":"2023-11-03T16:32:38","slug":"nurse-triage-morbidity-and-mortality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/answerstat.com\/article\/nurse-triage-morbidity-and-mortality\/","title":{"rendered":"Nurse Triage for Morbidity and Mortality"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"TriageLogic\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Save Lives and Lower Healthcare Costs<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By Ravi K. Raheja, MD<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We recently discussed why a nurse triage service is important for helping patients avoid unnecessary ER visits<\/a>. The same holds true for those patients who have serious conditions but hesitate to seek emergency care. Read on to learn why implementing nurse triage can reduce patient morbidity and mortality and lower the associated healthcare costs at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Patients Delay Care<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many patients can feel self-conscious about their health and don\u2019t like to go to the ER unless they think it\u2019s absolutely necessary. They may also be worried about insurance costs and would prefer waiting to see if their symptoms improve. But this hesitancy can put their overall health at risk if they\u2019re exhibiting symptoms associated with underlying conditions: for instance, neck and shoulder pain that may be precursors to a heart attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if these symptoms don\u2019t seem problematic immediately, it can take a very short period of time\u2014sometimes less than 24 hours\u2014before they may worsen. Having a qualified triage nurse who can talk with that patient and evaluate all of their symptoms using Schmitt-Thompson protocols<\/a> will give them a definitive answer about whether or not they need the emergency department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only does this lower the mortality rate at a given practice, it also helps patients avoid high medical bills. Those who may experience symptoms but continue to delay care may find themselves ultimately needing the ER anyway\u2014and potentially an ambulance to get them there\u2014and will have to pay more out of pocket compared to those treated early by a PCP. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conversely, patients who take active roles in their own healthcare are better able to avoid these situations. But they still need to know when their symptoms warrant going to the ER. Nurse triage is the best means of determining that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of Nurse Triage<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nurse triage is a service where registered nurses talk with patients\u2014either over the phone or through telehealth videoconferencing\u2014to evaluate their symptoms and determine the best dispositions for care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those dispositions can be applied to both pediatric and adult cases. For a more in-depth discussion of how these age groups differ, and why there is a high referral rate for ER visits for adults, check out the e-book, Patient Symptoms & Outcomes<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nurse triage should include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n