What is Nurse Triage?
Nurse triage is a process in which a registered nurse assesses and prioritizes a patient’s symptoms over the phone. This allows for timely and efficient care, especially for non-life-threatening medical issues. The goal of nurse triage in hospitals is to provide patients with the appropriate level of care and prevent unnecessary emergency room visits.
The Role of Nurse Triage in Hospitals
Nurse triage has become an essential part of the healthcare system, particularly in hospitals. It allows for a more streamlined and effective patient flow, as well as improved patient satisfaction. Here are some key ways in which nurse triage impacts hospitals:
Reduced Wait Times
According to a study by the American Academy of Family Physicians, nurse triage has been shown to reduce wait times in emergency departments by up to 50%. This is because patients are directed to the appropriate level of care, whether it be an urgent care facility or their primary care physician, rather than clogging up the emergency room.
Cost Savings
Nurse triage also leads to significant cost savings for hospitals. A study published in the Journal of Emergency Nursing found that nurse triage saved hospitals an average of $7.50 per patient, resulting in an annual cost savings of over $1 million for a hospital with 50,000 annual visits.
Improved Patient Satisfaction
With reduced wait times and cost savings, it’s no surprise that nurse triage also leads to improved patient satisfaction. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in general, patients were satisfied with their nurse triage experience.
The Impact of Nurse Triage on Hospitals During COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has put a strain on healthcare systems around the world, and hospitals have been at the forefront of this crisis. Nurse triage has played a crucial role in managing the influx of patients and preventing overcrowding in emergency rooms. Here are some key statistics from Call 4 Health, a leading nurse triage provider, on the impact of nurse triage on hospitals during the pandemic:
- Call 4 Health’s nurse triage service has seen a 600% increase in calls since the start of the pandemic.
- Out of the calls received, 60% were able to be resolved over the phone, preventing unnecessary visits to the hospital.
- On average, nurse triage has saved hospitals over $1 million in potential revenue loss due to reduced emergency room visits during the pandemic.
- Patients who have used nurse triage during the pandemic have reported a 90% satisfaction rate.
Why Choose Call 4 Health for Nurse Triage?
Call 4 Health is a leading provider of nurse triage services, offering 24/7 coverage for hospitals across the country. Here are some reasons why hospitals trust Call 4 Health for our nurse triage needs:
Experienced Nurses
Call 4 Health has over 20 years of industry experience and our team of registered nurses has years of experience in emergency medicine. They are trained to assess and prioritize symptoms accurately, providing patients with the appropriate level of care.
Customizable Protocols
Call 4 Health works closely with hospitals to develop customized protocols that align with their specific needs and processes. This ensures that patients receive consistent and quality care, while also streamlining the triage process for the hospital staff.
Advanced Technology
Call 4 Health uses state-of-the-art technology to support our nurse triage services. This includes a secure and HIPAA-compliant platform for patient data and a call center equipped with the latest tools for efficient and accurate triage.
Contact Call 4 Health Today
If you’re a hospital looking to improve patient flow, reduce wait times, and save on costs, then nurse triage from Call 4 Health is the solution for you. With over 20 years of experience and a team of highly trained nurses, Call 4 Health is dedicated to providing the highest level of care for patients over the phone. Contact us today at (855) 244-3258 to learn more.
Founded after a personal, heart-wrenching incident more than 20 years ago, Call 4 Health has gone from solely offering after-hours answering services to being a top-rated, complete communications BPO for healthcare facilities throughout the country.
