COVID High Risk Waiting Room Nurse - Role and Responsibility

Reassessment of all adult patients in the high risk waiting room with priority given to Category 3 patients and patients who have exceeded their recommended ATS wait time after triage
Providing comfort measures such as blankets and refreshments (as clinically appropriate)

Ensures the safety of patients and the environment by conducting regular safety checks
Ensure appropriate Tier 3 PPE is adhered to throughout the shift
Ensure patients waiting in this area are wearing the correct PPE to reduce patient to patient and patient to staff viral transmission

Vital signs that exceed the Red and Orange Zone
Patients who present distressed or in significant discomfort following analgesia
Patients with an elevated BOC score at triage and are unsuitable for the High Risk Waiting Room
Any patient that the Waiting Room Nurse is concerned or worried about

Vital signs must be documented on the ED Adult Flow Chart to enable track and trigger of abnormal vital signs.
Tracking Screen – used to identify and track patients in the High Risk Waiting Room in need of reassessment after triage.
EDIS clinical notes – all interactions including medications and procedures to be documented in clinical notes.
EMR – Radiology/Bloods/Medications.

Timely re-assessment for all patients in the waiting room within the ATS Category Timeframes
Cat 3 Patients seen within 30 minutes at or above 75%
Improved re-assessment times for all patients in the waiting Room
Improved Communication and better efficiency between the Waiting room Nurse and Triage Nurse/s
Standard process for notes in Clinical Comments & Clinical notes
Improved Communication and better efficiency between the Waiting Room nurse and ED Consultants/Registrars
Increased use of Consult room and presence in the Adult and Paediatric Waiting areas