Roles of Nurses in Telephone Triage

In December 2003, the Board responded to an opinion request on the role of registered nurses, employed by home health agencies, in the use of telephone triage to assess patient needs.

It was the advisory opinion of the Board that it is within the scope of registered nursing practice for the nurse to consult with a patient via the telephone and provide telephone triage of the patient.  The nurse should then consult with the patient’s medical provider for follow-up and/or recommend that the patient seek emergency treatment as needed. 

It is not within the jurisdiction of the Board to determine if a nurse must make a home visit to assess a patient’s needs.  It is within the purview of the home health facility to establish policies and procedures governing this matter.  The Cabinet for Health Services, Office of the Inspector General, Frankfort, Kentucky, should be contacted to obtain information on the requirements of the facility personnel to make home visits and contact medical providers for patient care orders.  The telephone number is 502-564-2888.