• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.287-298
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• 2013

To develop a technique classifying patients based on computerized clinical data followed by validity verification by comparing with nurse's examination. Class scores were determined by nurses for a day on 348 resident patients in 7 wards of a general hospital according to KPCS-1. The class scores were simultaneously evaluated by reviewing the computerized clinical data acquired from the hospital management information system. These two class scores were both significantly different among different departments as well as disease patterns. Intraclass correlation analysis resulted a very high correlation coefficient of 0.96(p<0.01) between the two scoring methods, but the clinical data scores were somewhat higher. An automated patient classification system seemed possible to be developed in future with further enhancement of the present results based on computerized clinical data without manual scoring, which can be applied for performance evaluation as well as workforce planning.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.98-103
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the results of KTAS(Korean Triage and Acuity Scale) triage classifier differ according to the occupations. We analyzed a total of 10,960,359 cases of data sent to the NEDIS from January 1st, 2016 to December 31th, 2017. The triage classifier were MD(Medical Doctor), R(Resident), INT(Intern), GP(General Practitioner), RN(Registered Nurses) and EMT(Emergency Medical Technician). The consistency between the initial triage and final triage results was the highest GP(98.9%) and the lowest INT(80.2%). The results of over-triage classification was the lowest by GP(0.6%) and the highest for INT(16.0%). Also, the results of under-triage classification was the lowest by MD, EMT(0.4%) and the highest for INT(3.8%). The results of KTAS triage classifier significantly differ from according to the occupations(p<0.001). Triage classification should not differ from according to occupations and skill. It is necessary to strengthen the classifier's capacity for accurate triage classifications.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.15-26
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• 2016

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify thinking strategies in the complicated decision-making process based on real patient-based data of triage nurses in the emergency department (ED). Methods: This study used the 'think aloud' method to collect data from 8 triage nurses from one general hospital ED in South Korea. The data were analyzed with protocol analysis using thinking strategies. Results: The triage process was divided into three stages. The first stage consisted of 8 thinking strategies, including searching for information. They used intuition based on directly observed concepts for identifying a crisis. The second stage consisted of 17 thinking strategies related to the decision-making process. They assessed patients and generated a hypothesis to try to understand their health problems through analytic thinking. The third stage consisted of 10 thinking strategies, including qualifying. They considered the situation of the ED and properly triaged the patients. During the triage process, they frequently used judging the value and searching for information on 17 thinking strategies. Conclusions: Triage nurses demonstrated various connected thinking strategies for each stage. Based on our results, further studies should be done to develop a triage education program.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.626-634
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• 2018

This retrospective study investigates the accuracy of triage procedures for pediatric patients in emergency departments (EDs) using the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale (KTAS). The study includes 250 randomly selected initial nursing records and clinical outcomes of pediatric patients who visited one regional ED or a local ED from October 2016 to September 2017. The collected data were analyzed by a qualified expert to determine the true triage score. The accuracy of triage was defined as the agreement between the triage score of the emergency nurses (ENs) and the true triage score as determined by the expert. Based on expert comments, the cause of the triage error was analyzed and the KTAS score was compared with the discharge, length of stay (LOS), and medical cost. The results showed that the degree of agreement in the triage score between the experts and the ENs was excellent (weighted kappa=0.77). Among the causes of triage discordance, the most frequent was the incorrect application of vital signs to the KTAS algorithm criteria (n=13). Patients with high severity KTAS levels 1 and 2 were discharged less often (${\chi}=43.25$, p<0.001). There were significant differences in the length of stay (F=12.39, p<0.001) and cost (F=11.78, p<0.001) between KTAS scores when adjusting for age. The results of this study indicate that KTAS is highly accurate in EDs. Hence, the newly developed triage tool is becoming well established in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.41-52
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• 2017

Purpose : This concept analysis identified attributes and defined triage competency among emergency nurses. Method : Walker and Avant's approach was used to guide the concept analysis. A literature review was completed including 26 studies, 5 reports of related associations, and 5 books. Results : The concept of triage competency in emergency nurses was identified as five attributes: clinical judgment, expert assessment, management of medical resources, timely decision, and communication. Antecedents of the concept were triage education and emergency room experience. The consequences of the concept were efficiency of care, patient rating, and safety. Triage competency in emergency nurses was defined as the comprehensive ability to prioritize patients' urgency and allocate limited medical resources. Conclusion : This study is meaningful since it clarified triage competency among emergency nurses. The attributes and empirical indicators of this study will likely lay the foundation for development of triage competency metrics.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.61-71
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• 2012

Purpose: The aim of this study was to measure the inter-rater reliability of Emergency severity index (ESI) version 4 among triage nurse. Methods: This study was carried out from August 11, 2010 to September 7, 2010 in a regional emergency department. Data collection was done by ten triage nurses who trained ESI v.4. Two research nurses and ten triage nurses scored the ESI version 4 to the patients as references, independently. We calculated the weighted kappa between the triage nurses and research nurses to evaluate the consistency of the ESI v.4. Results: A total of 233 patients were enrolled in this study. Classification of ESI level was as follows - level 1 (0.4%), level 2 (21.0%), level 3 (67.8%), level 4 (9.4%), and level 5 (1.3%). Inter-rater reliability by weighted kappa was 0.79 (95% Confidence Interval= 0.74-0.83) and agreement rate was 87.1%. Under-triage rate by triage nurse was 6.0% and over-triage rate was 6.9%. Conclusion: For this study, inter-rater reliability was measured good level between triage nurses and research nurses in Korean single ED.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.124-132
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among critical thinking disposition, problem solving ability, and triage competency in nurses working in Emergency Rooms (ERs). Methods: This cross-sectional study, conducted in August and September 2021, involved 118 ER nurses from three hospitals in the Gyeonggi-do metropolitan area. The data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Scheffé test, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regression analysis using SPSS for Windows version 25.0. Results: The mean score of triage competency among ER nurses was 87.63±15.65. In the regression model, age, ER experience, triage experience, critical thinking disposition, and problem solving ability predicted 52% of the triage competency. Both critical thinking disposition and problem-solving ability were noted to be significant (β=.32, p<.001; β=.36, p<.001, respectively). Conclusion: Critical thinking disposition and problem solving ability of ER nurses were identified as major factors in triage competency. To improve ER nurses' triage competency and enhance critical thinking disposition and problem solving ability, a systematic and ongoing program should be developed and implemented.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.94-102
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine triage nurses' the Korean triage and acuity scale(KTAS) performance ability, perception of importance, education needs and identify the factors influencing triage nurses' the KTAS performance ability. Methods: A descriptive correlational study was conducted among 146 emergency nurses working in 13 hospitals from March to May, 2017. Data were collected utilizing a questionnaire developed to measure performance ability, perception of importance, and educational needs of 192 items of the KTAS. Statistical analysis included t-test, analysis of variance, correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis. Results: The triage nurses' the KTAS performance ability was rated as 3.3/4.0 points, perception of importance as 3.2/4.0 points, and education needs as 3.1/4.0 points. Factors influencing the KTAS performance of the participants were perception of importance, education needs, and work experience at the emergency department, explaining 26.7% of total variance. Conclusion: The KTAS performance ability of triage nurses could be improved through training programs designed to enhance their perception of importance and provide knowledge about the KTAS. Nurses' emergency department work experience needs to be considered as an important factor for the KTAS performance ability.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.91-99
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• 2020

Purpose: The study aims to assess the inter-rater reliability of the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale between the research nurses and the triage nurses. Methods: Interrater reliability was measured on 400 adult (≧15) and 400 pediatric (<15) patients who visited the emergency medical center from January 4 to June 30, 2018. Results: The study result showed that the inter-rater reliability of the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale was substantial, with κ=.73 (95% Confidence interval= .68-.78) and 77.0 percent agreement. The inter-rater of Pediatric Korean Triage and Acuity Scale was also substantial, with κ=.76 (95% Confidence interval= .71-.82) and 83.8 percent agreement. Conclusion: Although the inter-rater reliability of the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale was acceptable, the percent agreement was lower than the desirable level (<80.0%). It was confirmed that Pediatric Korean Triage and Acuity Scale had an acceptable level of inter-rater reliability and percent agreement for clinical use. Efforts should be made to improve the reliability in the future.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.171-180
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• 2019

Purpose: The Korean Triage and Acuity Scale (KTAS) is a tool used to classify the severity and urgency of emergency department (ED) patients, focusing on their symptoms. In consideration of the importance of the KTAS, a web-based learning program has emerged as a new mode of education; it enables ED triage nurses to access it anytime and anywhere, and according to their own learning abilities. This study aimed to develop a web-based KTAS learning program and evaluate its effects on self-efficacy and triage performance ability in ED nurses. Methods: A quasi-experimental design with a non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest was used. The conceptual framework was Bandura's self-efficacy theory. There were 30 participants in the experimental group and 29 in the control group. The experimental group attended an orientation and 4 sessions of a web-based KTAS learning program. The learning program lasted 280 minutes over five weeks, consisting of 40 minutes of orientation and four 60-minute sessions. Results: The scores of self-efficacy, triage performance ability in KTAS level, and chief complaints significantly increased in the experimental group compared to the control group. In addition, the numbers of under-triage in KTAS significantly decreased in the experimental group in comparison to the control group. Conclusion: The results suggest that the learning program was effective in improving ED nurses' level of self-efficacy and triage performance ability (KTAS level and KTAS chief complaint). Accordingly, the web-based KTAS learning program can be applied as an education intervention to improve ED nurses' triage skill.