Triage in OH

Why triage is an invaluable tool for occupational health

Summary:

Occupational health nurse advisor Janet O’Neill explains why triage is such a useful tool in providing an efficient OH service – whether in-house or outsourced. OH triage promotes best practice in OH management whatever your sector, and is even more valuable in managing OH resources at times of crisis, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Triage is the process by which treatment priorities are determined according to patient needs. A system of triage was developed in battlefield surgery where there was a need to prioritise those who needed urgent care in order to save lives. The need to prioritise cases is not as significant in occupational health (OH) practice, but the principles are nonetheless important for organisations and public health…

Janet O’Neill is an occupational health nurse advisor and is a clinical director at the PAM group. She has 16 years’ experience working in occupational health with different types of clients, and currently has a clinical governance and coaching role.

Author: O'Neill J

Tags oh policies public health

Occupational Health at Work April/May 2021 (vol. 17/6) pp29-34

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