Journal of emergency nursing : JEN : official publication of the Emergency Department Nurses Association
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Disasters of any variety can occur at any given moment. Emergency departments are at the forefront of the response system, serving as the gateway to the most appropriate care of victims. The intent of the survey described in this article was to assess nurses' perception of their role in a disaster and their perceived susceptibility to a disaster. In addition, basic knowledge and role preparation was reviewed. ⋯ This article highlights the importance of disaster education geared to the needs of the emergency nurse.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Can emergency nurses' triage skills be improved by online learning? Results of an experiment.
Emergency nurses deal with increasing complexity of patients. In 2003 there were over 14 million ED visits in Canada. The Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) is a 5-level system used by ED triage nurses to classify patients. There is a need for standardized training for all triage systems. In an effort to improve access to CTAS training, a 6-week Web-based CTAS workshop was developed. We determined the impact of Web learning on the accuracy of the triage skills of registered nurses (RNs). ⋯ Web learning can help professionals maintain competency and support professional practice. Further research is needed to provide evidence for best practices in E-learning for RNs. The accuracy of the RN's triage assessment impacts patient health, hospital accreditation, and funding.