A Systematic Review of the Impact of Nursing Triage on Length of Stay in Paediatric Emergency Department

BackgroundPaediatric emergency departments (PEDs) treat children in urgent medical situations, and nursing triage plays a crucial role in determining their length of stay (LOS), a key metric for evaluating healthcare efficiency. This systematic review investigates the impact of nursing triage on LOS in paediatric emergency departments.MethodsSearching electronic databases identified relevant studies meeting inclusion criteria, focusing on nursing triage and length of stay in the paediatric emergency department. Utilising the Let Evidence Guide Every New Decision (LEGEND) approach, quality assessment and data extraction were conducted independently by two reviewers.ResultsSix studies met the inclusion criteria and were analysed. The review highlights multiple factors influencing LOS, including triage accuracy, patient acuity levels, nurse staffing and overcrowding. Inefficient triage processes and delays were identified as key contributors to prolonged LOS.DiscussionThis review underscores the critical role of efficient nursing triage in optimising patient flow and reducing LOS in paediatric emergency settings. Challenges such as nurse shortages, high patient volumes and inappropriate triage categorizations contribute to delays. Future research should focus on evaluating specific triage protocols, nurse training programmes, and integrating advanced technology to improve triage accuracy and efficiency. Implementing evidence-based strategies could significantly enhance patient outcomes and experiences in PEDs.Reporting MethodThe study adhered to the relevant EQUATOR reporting guidelines: the PRISMA Checklist for Systematic review was used.Patient or Public ContributionNo patient or public contribution.