Where do I stand? Legal implications of telephone triage

The introduction of telephone triage in many accident and emergency (A&E) departments is seen as a way to give clients information immediately on demand, to assess and prioritize the need for treatment and to direct the client to the most appropriate service available. This article aims to examine the medico-legal aspects of telephone triage and the nurse's responsibility to the caller and themselves. It will involve looking at triage as a nursing function and how the nurse may minimize the threat of liability by beginning to understand the legal implications of giving advice by telephone. The article will also discuss the use of detailed documentation and communication skills and will aim to show how important these are in the protection of nurses in a court of law.