Triage-related Challenges Faced by Emergency Nurses during the Peak and Plateau Periods of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Focus Group Study

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to comprehensively understand the experiences of emergency nurses performing triage during the peak and plateau periods of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic over the past two years. Methods: Twenty triage nurses from three emergency medical centers were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling. Data collection occurred from February to May 2022 via focus group interviews and was analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The experiences of emergency nurses in triage revealed four themes: changes in priorities due to infectious diseases, barriers to tirage, the emotional burden experienced by triage nurses, and the journey toward growth. The pandemic heightened the focus on infection screening in triage. Triage nurses faced numerous challenges concerning their own safety and that of their patients and encountered difficulties in performing triage. Nonetheless, these experiences provided them with opportunities for professional growth. Conclusion: The experiences of nurses performing triage during the peak and plateau periods of the COVID-19 pandemic provide valuable insights for future preparedness and coping strategies in the face of similar infectious disease outbreaks. It is necessary to establish integrated triage guidelines for patient safety, develop operations manuals for triage, implement policies on staffing standards, and provide mental health support for triage nurses during pandemics.