Assessing Nursing Students' Knowledge Regarding Hospital Triage in Two Private Institutes of Lahore

Triage is a vital process in emergency care, used to prioritize patient treatment based on the severity of illness or injury. Nurses play a critical role in the triage process, making quick decisions that directly affect patient outcomes. Lack of knowledge among nursing students may lead to ineffective triage, especially in resource-constrained healthcare settings like Pakistan. To assess the level of knowledge regarding hospital triage among undergraduate nursing students in two private nursing institutes in Lahore. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 80 nursing students selected through simple random sampling from the SACON Institute of Health Sciences and New Advance College of Nursing. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed through SPSS 26. Frequencies and percentages were used to interpret the findings. The study suggested that most students had a good basic understanding of triage concepts, such as its purpose and the need for prioritizing patients. However, there were significant knowledge gaps in specific technical areas, including the use of standardized triage systems like the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) and the role of discriminator lists. Despite these gaps, over 80% of students recognized the importance of triage knowledge in nursing practice. Although nursing students demonstrated a strong foundational knowledge of triage, the study highlights the need for improvement in education on triage protocols and tools. Incorporating structured modules, simulations, and clinical exposure into nursing curricula is essential to prepare students for effective decision-making in emergency care.