Patients Triage: Key Factor in Improving Quality of Nursing Care and Patient Satisfaction

Background: Patients' triage plays a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of nursing care and ensuring patient satisfaction. Aims: To assess nurses' awareness about triage system and its effect on quality of nursing care and patient satisfaction Research design: Descriptive correlational research design was used. Setting: This study was conducted at emergency unit at Trauma Assiut University Hospital. Subjects: Consisted of all available nursing staff (N=97), and all available patients in the time of data collection (N=108). Tools: The study data collected include Tool (1): A structured interview questionnaire Part (1): Personal data form and Part (2): Nurses' awareness about triage system questionnaire. Tool (2): Patient satisfaction scale Part (1): Personal characteristics data form. Part (2): Patient satisfaction levels questionnaire. Tool (3): Quality of nursing care assessment post-triage. Results: Showed that nearly to three quarters of the nursing staff had a low level of awareness regarding the triage system following the implementation of the triage plan, 74.1% of the patients reported a high level of satisfaction with emergency nursing care, Additionally, 73.1% of the nursing staff demonstrated a high level of total quality in nursing care. Conclusions: High statistically significant positive correlation between the total quality of nursing care and total patient satisfaction post triage. Recommendations: Strengthening Triage Protocol by establish standardized guideline and ensure continuous updating of triage tools with international standards.