Journal List > J Korean Acad Nurs > v.49(2) > 1121937

Kim and Kang: Effects of a Web-Based Korean Triage and Acuity Scale Learning Program on Triage Self-Efficacy and Triage Performance Ability for Nurses in Emergency Department

Abstract

Purpose

The Korean Triage and Acuity Scale (KTAS) is a tool used to classify the severity and urgency of emergency department (ED) patients, focusing on their symptoms. In consideration of the importance of the KTAS, a web-based learning program has emerged as a new mode of education; it enables ED triage nurses to access it anytime and anywhere, and according to their own learning abilities. This study aimed to develop a web-based KTAS learning program and evaluate its effects on self-efficacy and triage performance ability in ED nurses.

Methods

A quasi-experimental design with a non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest was used. The conceptual framework was Bandura's self-efficacy theory. There were 30 participants in the experimental group and 29 in the control group. The experimental group attended an orientation and 4 sessions of a web-based KTAS learning program. The learning program lasted 280 minutes over five weeks, consisting of 40 minutes of orientation and four 60-minute sessions.

Results

The scores of self-efficacy, triage performance ability in KTAS level, and chief complaints significantly increased in the experimental group compared to the control group. In addition, the numbers of under-triage in KTAS significantly decreased in the experimental group in comparison to the control group.

Conclusion

The results suggest that the learning program was effective in improving ED nurses' level of self-efficacy and triage performance ability (KTAS level and KTAS chief complaint). Accordingly, the web-based KTAS learning program can be applied as an education intervention to improve ED nurses' triage skill.

Figures and Tables

Figure 1

Research progress flow diagram.

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Figure 2

Web-based Korean triage and acuity scale learning program.

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Table 1

Homogeneity of General Characteristics and Dependent Variables between Experimental and Control Groups (N=59)

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Exp.=Experimental group; Cont.=Control group; KTAS=Korean Triage and Acuity Scale; M=mean; SD=standard deviation.

Table 2

Comparison of Triage Self-Efficacy and Triage Performance Ability between Experimental and Control Groups (N=59)

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Exp.=Experimental group (n=30); Cont.=Control group (n=29); KTAS=Korean Triage and Acuity Scale; M=mean; SD=standard deviation.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors thank the KTAS committee in the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine.

Notes

This manuscript is a condensed form of the first author's doctoral dissertation from Chosun University.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST The authors declared no conflict of interest.

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ORCID iDs

Hyo-Jin Kim
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2210-5677

Hee-Young Kang
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0033-2780

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