Nurses' Knowledge and Skills Regarding Pediatric Interagency Integrated Triage Tool in Pediatric Emergency Wards

Objective: To evaluate the level of nurses' knowledge and skills concerning the Pediatric Interagency Integrated Triage Tool (IITT) in pediatric emergency wards. Methodology: A descriptive study was conducted in the pediatric emergency wards of hospitals in Mosul City from September 5, 2024, to December 25, 2024. The sample selection was carried out in collaboration with nursing departments. A total of 60 nurses working in pediatric emergency wards in Mosul City participated in the study.A structured questionnaire was constructed and administered to nurses, comprising three main sections. The first section focused on demographic information. The second section assessed nurses' knowledge of the Interagency Integrated Triage Tool (IITT) and included four subsections. The third section evaluated nurses' skills related to IITT, also divided into four subsections.The questionnaire's validity was confirmed through an expert review process., involving a panel of 20 specialists who assessed content clarity and relevance. A pilot study was conducted to assess the instrument's reliability from September 22, 2024, to September 26, 2024, with a randomly selected sample of 10 nurses from pediatric emergency wards. Reliability analysis using Cronbach's Alpha, performed via SPSS version 26, yielded values of 0.851 for the knowledge section and 0.810 for the skills section, indicating strong internal consistency. Result: The statistical analysis revealed that the overall knowledge level of nurses regarding the Interagency Integrated Triage Tool (IITT) was inadequate, with 68.3% (41 nurses) classified at an unacceptable level. Similarly, the total skill level assessment indicated that 68.3% (41 nurses) had an unacceptable level of competency in utilizing the IITT. No significant relationships were found between nurses' knowledge levels and most demographic variables, except for gender (p ≤ 0.003) and years of experience in the emergency room (p ≤ 0.044). Additionally, a significant association was identified between training participation and skill levels (p ≤ 0.031). Recommendations : It is recommended to implement training courses and workshops for nurses working in pediatric emergency wards in Mosul hospitals to enhance their knowledge and skills regarding the Interagency Integrated Triage Tool (IITT).