Triagem de pacientes para consulta feita por medicos e enfermeiras

Abstract

The screening of patients to be seen by physicians in specialized areas of ambulatory wards is done by the physician. In view of the training received by nurses, and considering them capable of performing this task, the authors made a comparative study of patient screenings by physicians and nurses in order to establish the effectiveness and efficiency of that work when done by nurses. The study population consisted of three nurses, four physicians, and 572 patients at a teaching hospital at Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil. The patient screening was done first by a nurse and them by a physician. On completion of the research the authors concluded that screening by nurses is as effective (in terms of selection ) as screening by physicians, but also more efficient (in terms of cost)