Tele-triage

The process of assessing and prioritizing patients’ healthcare needs remotely using telecommunication technologies. It involves determining the urgency and severity of medical issues to guide appropriate care and resource allocation.

 

Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM):

The use of technology to collect and transmit patient data from a distance. In tele-triage, RPM allows healthcare providers to monitor patients’ vital signs, symptoms, and overall health without the need for in-person visits.

 

Telehealth:

The broad umbrella term encompassing healthcare services delivered remotely, including tele-triage. Telehealth utilizes telecommunications technologies to facilitate consultations, diagnoses, and treatment planning between patients and healthcare professionals.

Triage Nurse:

A registered nurse trained in tele-triage protocols responsible for assessing the urgency of patients’ health concerns during remote consultations. Triage nurses play a crucial role in guiding patients to appropriate levels of care.

Video Consultation:

A tele-triage method where healthcare providers and patients engage in real-time, face-to-face video calls. This allows for a more comprehensive assessment of symptoms and visual cues, enhancing the accuracy of triage decisions.

 

Asynchronous Communication:

Communication methods that do not require simultaneous interaction. In tele-triage, this can include email, messaging apps, or secure online platforms where patients can provide information and receive responses from healthcare providers at a convenient time.

 

Decision Support System:

Software or tools integrated into tele-triage platforms that assist healthcare professionals in making informed decisions based on established protocols, guidelines, and patient input.

 

Telemedicine Platforms:

Digital platforms and applications designed to facilitate tele-triage and other remote healthcare services. These platforms may include features like secure messaging, video consultations, and data storage for medical records.

 

Automated Triage System:

A tele-triage system that uses artificial intelligence algorithms to analyze patient information and provide initial assessments. Automated triage systems help streamline the process and prioritize patients based on urgency.

 

Telephonic Triage:

Conducting triage assessments over the phone. Telephonic triage is a fundamental component of tele-triage, allowing healthcare providers to gather information, assess symptoms, and guide patients to appropriate care

 

Tele-triage Protocols:

Standardized guidelines and procedures followed by healthcare professionals during remote assessments. These protocols help ensure consistent and evidence-based decision-making in tele-triage scenarios.