Book Review: Telephone Triage Protocols for Nurses

Reviewed by Ann Maddaus

Summer, 2004

Briggs, Julie.
Telephone Triage Protocols for Nurses. 
2nd ed: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2002.

It is essential for all telephone triage operations to establish office protocol.  Julie Briggs stresses the importance of protocol throughout this book.  The book is formatted so the user can easily follow step-by-step questions that lead the patient to the appropriate care.  Each section allows space for offices to create their own specific protocol as well.

Medical-legal issues are a major concern for telephone triage practitioners.  In the introduction to this book, Briggs presents a medical-legal problems checklist.  The checklist is comprehensive and telephone triage practitioners should ensure that each point is covered for their own protection as well as the protection of the medical facility.

Purchasers of this book have commented on its user-friendly approach.  The book is spiral-bound, making it easy for the user to lay the book flat as they are receiving information from the caller.  The questions used to query the caller are specific, yet not leading.  Each question leads to a specific action or more assessment questions.  At the end of each section, there are specific home care instructions.  The caller is always given the option to seek medical attention or call back if the problem persists.

The book includes over 200 protocols.  It is arranged alphabetically by symptom.  It is clear and concise as to when to initiate emergency action.  It can be an excellent resource for all medical offices.

Other New and Forthcoming Resources For Telephone Triage

Barton Schmitt, Pediatric Telephone Advice.
ISBN: 0781750792.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Copyright 2004, Not Yet Published due 09/04.

Jeffrey L. Brown, Pediatric Telephone Medicine: Principles, Triage, and Advice.
ISBN: 0781716314.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Copyright 2004, Not yet published, publication date to be determined.

American Academy of Pediatrics, Pediatric Telephone Protocols.
ISBN: 1581101317.  Chief Editor, Barton Schmitt, American Academy of Pediatrics; Copyright 2004.

Steven R. Poole, Providing Telephone Triage and Advice in a Family Practice.
ISBN: 1581101163.  American Academy of Pediatrics; Copyright 2004.

Ann Maddaus is the Manager of Enrica Fish Books in Minneapolis, MN, 800-728-8398.