Provider in triage: is this a place for nurse practitioners?

Adv Emerg Nurs J. 2013 Oct-Dec;35(4):332-43. doi: 10.1097/TME.0b013e3182aa05ba.

Abstract

The role of nurse practitioners (NPs) in emergency care continues to evolve. A new and exciting role is the provider-in-triage (PIT) role. This innovative role has been implemented in many emergency departments (EDs) across the country. It was developed primarily as a front-end strategy to improve throughput of patients receiving emergency care. The PIT process uses a provider, physician, NP, or physician assistant in the triage area. Patient satisfaction, quality measures, and financial improvements have been attributed to using a PIT. The emergency NP is an optimal choice for this role. Advanced emergency nursing knowledge, skills, and decision making confer the NP a cost-effective provider to improve throughput in the ED while providing quality emergency care.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Nurse Practitioners*
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Quality Indicators, Health Care
  • Triage*
  • United States