Implementation of Triage in the Hospital Emergency Room of Private Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

Triage in the emergency department of the hospital is one indicator of the quality hospital services, especially those in developing countries such as Indonesia whose number of health care facilities are still limited. This research which used mix method aims to study the implementation of triage in the emergency patient based on the response time of Australian Triage Scale (ATS) in one referral hospital in Yogyakarta, which is the province with the best health status in Indonesia. A total of 30 patient samples were taken for quantitative descriptive data collection, while 10 informants used in understanding the implementation of triage qualitatively (case study). In this study, it was found that the hospital already have Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on the implementation of triage using the Single Patient Triage system. The level of treatment accuracy is as much as 70% (21 patients appropriately and 9 inappropriately treated). The limitations of space/ area are one of the obstacles in the appropriate implementation of triage. In conclusion, the implementation of triage should be improved by reviewing various aspects that influence it to achieve patient centered care through the achievement of continuity of care.

Keywords: response time, Australian Triage Scale, emergency department