Open Forum

Good Afternoon!

I am looking to see if anyone has any resources or policies for the triage/assessment of minors, particularly as it relates to telephone triage if possible. When a minor calls in (or a family member such as a grandparent while parents are on vacation) for care of a symptom such as abdominal pain, leg injury, headache, etc. we have in our policy that parental consent is required for those situations (of course with the usual exceptions for pregnancy, STIs, etc). However, we also have a policy that requires triage of "red flag symptoms" prior to scheduling in order to ensure the patient is scheduled at the right level of care within an appropriate time frame. Finding a balance has been difficult and I am curious how others have navigated this and educated staff. 

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Kathryn Braegelmann, RN, BSN
Triage Manager
CentraCare Health
St. Cloud, MN
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Hello,

I'm with Advocate Aurora in N. MI, WI, IL, and IN. I am one of the educators for our Engagement Center. Regarding the triage of minors, we have a policy that enables us to triage anyone, any age. As far as the babysitter or grandparent requesting triage, yes, we are able to triage without a signed disclosure provided we do not share any of the information from the patient's chart. The caller is providing us with the information.

We also use nursing judgment when it comes to potentially emergent symptoms of a minor. If nursing judgment leads us toward speaking with the parent/guardian, we call them to let them know.

I hope that helps.

Audrey Johnson RN MSN CDCES
RN Lead Educator
Advocate Aurora Health Care

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Audrey Johnson MSN RN CDE
Lead RN Educator
Engagement Center
Advocate Aurora Health Care
Milwaukee WI
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