Triage Scale Standardization

Approved by the Emergency Nurses Association September 2017

Revised January 2017

Originally approved June 2010

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) believes that the quality of patient care benefits from implementing a standardized emergency department (ED) triage scale and acuity categorization process. Based on expert consensus of currently available evidence, ACEP and ENA support the adoption of a scientifically validated triage scale such as the Emergency Severity Index (ESI). These organizations also support continued research and investigation to further refine patient acuity assignment, especially for high-risk populations.