Barriers in Execution of Triage

It's been a habitude of Filipinos to surpass and handle situations despite challenges that
hinder them (Bakeret, al. 2010; Fleuren, et al. 2004; Grol & Wensing, 2005; Wensing, et al.
2010).The earlier statement was accentuated by the informants as they clearly exhibit their
unique manners in dealing with challenges they face at triage. Estabrooks, et al (2008),
Francke, et al., (2008); Gerrish, et al., (2008); Grol, et al., (2007) and Ring, et al.(2005) , posit
that nursing is a satisfying and rewarding profession yet one of the most challenging and
demanding. In relation with this, nurses must learn how to adapt and manage untoward
situations they confront (Janssen, et. al., 2011). Furthermore, Roy, C. (1985) (as cited in Balita
& Octaviano, 2008) asserts that a nurse must be able to appreciate and comprehend man's
uniqueness for safe and effective nursing practice. Therefore, nurse must be able to accept
distinction of individuals they deal with and so adapt to challenges they encounter in order to
spare eminent care. When it comes to dealing with demanding patients and their significant
others, Jongudomkarn, (2012) and Krishna, (2011) assert that the art of handling difficult
patients is to prolong nurses’ patience, and if it doesn’t work, they should set boundaries, and
that nurses should clarify that their behavior is unacceptable. Concerning unequal provision of
care, nurses should ensure that quality care is available for all and that the quality of care
provided does not differ by identities (Martensson, et. al, 2010 and Munoz, et, al, 2014). In
relation to inadequacy of knowledge, Malekian, (2016) and Walker, (2010) postulate that self-
directed learning can nourish nurses’ minds because it can give them both information and
knowledge, thus, will help the nurses to be updated especially about certain diseases. As to
patients’ complaints about wanting to be assessed first even with mild condition, Toulson,
(2005) and Vigil, (2015) posit that, the triage nurse is responsible for determining the severity of
the patients’ complaints, and setting priorities who among those patients is to be seen first with
the aid of recalling the hospital protocol on strict screening. With reference to inadequacy of
time to pay heed to patients’ concerns, Allison, (2013) and Boyd, (2012) advance that even with
limited time allotted for each patient presenting at triage, triage nurses should still see to it that
provision of necessary information for each patient was made in spite of short time span. As a
final point, informants were mindful of these different means of resolving the challenges they
have identified.