Emergency Care Through Triage in the Sacramento Region
Triage means “to sort or sift.” In an emergency department, triage is a system of gathering patient information and prioritizing patient care.
At Dignity Health, we use the triage system in Sacramento and surrounding areas to best treat our emergency patients. In an emergency, call 911 for medical care or visit one of our ER locations.
This five-tier triage system uses the following categories:
- Immediate life-saving interventions are necessary
- Emergent or high-risk situation
- Urgent
- Semi-urgent
- Nonurgent
We use triage to make sure the sickest patients get care first. Triage considers the limited resources of an emergency room. It also identifies patients who need immediate care and those who can wait. Some patients can become frustrated with delays that can occur in a busy emergency room, unaware that someone who is seriously ill is receiving life-saving care.
What to Expect from the Triage System at Dignity Health
When you enter our state-of-the-art emergency room, the triage system guides your visit. Typically, one of our nurses will see you first to evaluate your health concern. This involves asking questions and gathering information about your injury or condition and taking your blood pressure, temperature, breathing rate, and pulse.
With all of this information, the nurse will make a triage assignment. This determines the order in which you receive care.
After triage, you will receive a medical assessment by an experienced doctor, nurse, or other health care provider. Once the staff arrives at a diagnosis, treatment can begin. Recovery from emergency treatment depends on your condition and the specific treatment.
If your symptoms worsen while waiting, notify the triage nurse or patient registration coordinator, as you may need care sooner. Trust the emergency room care teams at Dignity Health for effective treatment and quality care.
Dignity Health provides nationally recognized 24/7 emergency services through triage in the Greater Sacramento region.