Advice re: triage in A & E

Anonymouse · 23-01-2007, 01:24

Is there anyone here who's worked in or had dealings with A & E?

I think I read somewhere that if you go in with chest pains you'll be treated as a priority case. Is that correct?

Note: it's not me who's having the chest pains, thankfully, but I'd rather not say why I'm asking until I'm sure of my facts.

Caff · 23-01-2007, 02:30

I don't know anything about chest pains being a priority - i would assume the nurse that sees you before you go into the queue (in my experience) will prioritise.

I know that a young child will be seen before someone older, for example, and that a 999 call will have been assessed en-route and may well be rushed straight in.

If in doubt about chest pains - I'd call the ambulance service.
The doctor's night-time stand-in might be of help if you're worried about something right now, but if you're really worried - phone for an ambulance.

Virgin Mary · 23-01-2007, 07:56

Here, at Frimley Park Hospital everybody is assessed and prioritized within 5 minutes...

altis · 23-01-2007, 09:19

I once rang our doctor's surgery complaining of chest pain and the receptionist said come in straight away. I was seen very quickly but, luckily, I had just pulled some muscles!

brundles · 23-01-2007, 10:43

AFAIK pretty much all A&E departments prioritise. They use triage to establish the priority and then you go from there. Chest pains are usually seen as a high priority.

MovedGoalPosts · 23-01-2007, 10:46

If your worried about symptoms, but not that convinced you should be going to hospital call NHS Direct, it's what they are there for.

superbiatch · 23-01-2007, 10:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by brundles

AFAIK pretty much all A&E departments prioritise. They use triage to establish the priority and then you go from there. Chest pains are usually seen as a high priority.

I know our A&E dept uses colour coded spots on admission forms - traffic light signalling priority cases.

**Mick** · 23-01-2007, 11:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anonymouse

Is there anyone here who's worked in or had dealings with A & E?

I think I read somewhere that if you go in with chest pains you'll be treated as a priority case. Is that correct?

Note: it's not me who's having the chest pains, thankfully, but I'd rather not say why I'm asking until I'm sure of my facts.

This may be of some use for quick self diagnosis. If you are still uncertain, you really do need to seek medical advice as a matter of priority.

Salu · 23-01-2007, 13:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anonymouse

Is there anyone here who's worked in or had dealings with A & E?

I think I read somewhere that if you go in with chest pains you'll be treated as a priority case. Is that correct?

Note: it's not me who's having the chest pains, thankfully, but I'd rather not say why I'm asking until I'm sure of my facts.

I do shifts in A&E regularly..

Yes, chest pain will be treated as a priority. Especially if they have a sudden onset with no apparent history of trauma etc.

Noone will chastise you for using A&E or an even ambulance if you have chest pains. It's the calling 999 for broken fingernails we have problems with...

PM me if you wish.