Optimizing triage consistency in Australian emergency departments: The Emergency Triage Education Kit

Abstract

Objective: The Emergency Triage Education Kit was designed to optimize consistency of triage using the Australasian Triage Scale. The present study was conducted to determine the interrater reliability of a set of scenarios for inclusion in the programme. Methods: A postal survey of 237 paper-based triage scenarios was utilized. A quota sample of triage nurses (n = 42) rated each scenario using the Australasian Triage Scale. The scenarios were analysed for concordance and agreement. The criterion for inclusion of the scenarios in the programme was κ ≥ 0.6. Results: Data were collected during 2 April to 14 May 2007. Agreement for the set was κ = 0.412 (95% CI 0.410-0.415). Of the initial set:..