Navigating Protocols: Steps 1 and 2, is the first part of the series on Navigating Protocols. This video focuses on the first two steps a nurse performs when taking a triage call – the initial assessment and selecting the correct protocol. In any triage encounter, the goal is always to get the patient to the right level of care at the right time. Protocols provide a standardized approach to each call and act as a reminder of details that could be overlooked. Before watching this video, it is helpful to make sure you have already watched the introductory video, 10 Critical Steps to a Triage Call. 

Before choosing a protocol, the triage nurse must complete an initial assessment. The purpose of the initial assessment is to get a general sense of the appropriate level of care for the patient. After ruling out any life-threatening emergencies, the nurse will use a series of specific and purposeful questions to collect a brief medical history and understand present symptoms. You will learn strategies to build trust with the caller, sort through the most relevant information, and relieve their concerns.

The video will also go over choosing the most appropriate protocol after the initial assessment. Picking the most right protocol is not always easy, but it is very important for avoiding complications and directing the patient to the appropriate level of care. You will go over how triage nurses can pick which protocols to use based on the symptoms that are likely to lead to the highest acuity. The video will also discuss how to use protocols to enhance nursing skills and judgement to fine tune decision making.