Level of Knowledge of Nursing Students on Triage in the Emergency Area

Abstract

Introduction: Triage is a tool used by healthcare professionals that allows them to classify the degree of urgency according to the symptoms present, in order to reduce patient demand in the emergency area and ensure effective and adequate care. Therefore, it is necessary for healthcare personnel to have scientific fundamentals prior to handling this area. Objective: To analyze the level of knowledge of nursing students on Triage in the Emergency area. Methods: This research is a cross-sectional study, with a quantitative approach; and, it is based on data collection using the Scale of Knowledge Level in Triage Management in Nursing Personnel (NICMA-TRIPE), in which 120 nursing students from the Technical University of Ambato participated. Results: Among the findings during the research, we have that 38% of the students totally agree, meaning they significantly know the definition of triage, 24% agree, 16% neither agree nor disagree, 14% disagree, and 9% totally disagree. Conclusions: Nursing students at the Technical University of Ambato have adequate knowledge about the triage process in the emergency service, which contributes to providing efficient care to the patient in terms of demand and clinical needs of the healthcare facility.