REPRESENTATION OF TRIAGE CATEGORIES 4 AND 5 ACCORDING TO THE AUSTRALASIAN TRIAGE SCALE AT THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, PULA GENERAL HOSPITAL

Sa？etak The purpose of triage at Emergency Department (ED) is to prioritize incoming patients, that is, to classify patients according to how long they can safely wait for medical attention and care. The purpose is to provide each patient with a level and quality of medical care that is clinically justi？ ed with regard to the patient’s problems. The aim of this study was to show the frequency of patient arrivals at ED, Pula General Hospital (PGH), who did not require emergency treatment during the period from July 1, 2018 to September 30, 2018, thus indicating ED overcrowding; the prevalence of triage categories 4 and 5 according to the Australasian Scale (ATS); and patient arrival times within 24 hours. The PGH information system was used for data collection. The least represented were ATS triage categories 1 and 2 (2.1%), whereas ATS triage category 4 was most commonly represented (64%); the most frequent patient admission was recorded in the afternoon and evening. Accordingly, the less urgent cases were the cause of ED overcrowding and mutual dissatisfaction between patients and healthcare professionals. Solutions should be sought through health care restructuring, along with sensitizing and educating the public about the work of ED