Talk Studio: Telephone Triage by Nurses

MLMIC Insurance Company is proud to present a conversation on telephone triage by nurses as part of the latest episode of Talk Studio, a video series on important and trending issues in professional liability, healthcare law and risk management.

Here, MLMIC attorneys Nancy May-Skinner, Esq., and Brian Felton, Esq., discuss which medical professionals, under New York State Law, can provide telephone triage.

Prompted by a recent policyholder inquiry, Felton explains that licensed practical nurses cannot legally perform triage, whether over the phone or in-person. However, registered nurses are licensed to assess patient conditions—a critical part of the triage process—and can determine the level of care that a patient needs. This may include bringing the patient in for an office visit, referring them to the emergency room or advising that they monitor symptoms at home.

“Moving forward, medical practices should consider having policies and procedures in place to assist with the triage process,” Felton notes. “Some recommendations might include checklists or templates to assist.”

Be sure to subscribe to the MLMIC YouTube channel to view upcoming installments of Talk Studio. We encourage our insureds to “like” and “share” this video with the goal of spreading this important message with the extended medical community. MLMIC also reminds policyholders they have access to numerous risk management publications and resources available via the MLMIC Insider.