Development of Management Model for Patients Risky for Infection with Emerging Disease in Emergency Room, Phrae Hospital

Abstract

         This research and development study aimed to: 1) explore the current situation, 2) develop a management model, and 3) evaluate stakeholders’ satisfaction with the developed model for managing patients at risk of emerging infectious diseases in the Emergency Room of Phrae Hospital. The study was conducted in four phases. First, the current situation was explored through interviews with eight emergency department staff, including the head nurse, team leaders, and physicians, to identify problems and needs. Second, a management model was developed with consensus from five experts: two emergency physicians, two experienced emergency nurses, and one nursing instructor specialized in emergency care. Third, the model was implemented with 13 registered nurses responsible for triage. Fourth, the effectiveness and satisfaction with the model were evaluated from the perspectives of ER nurses and emergency physicians. The research instruments included: 1) a semi-structured interview form, 2) the developed management model, and 3) a satisfaction assessment form. All tools were validated for content, achieving a content validity index (CVI) of 0.94. Data were analyzed using content analysis and descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation).
        The results revealed limitations in the existing management system, including staff shortages, inconsistent policies, unclear triage procedures, and increased infection risks. In response, the developed management model consisted of two core components: triage guidelines and nursing care protocols. Evaluation results showed high satisfaction among nurses in all dimensions (mean = 4.83, SD = 0.37). The study suggests that this model can be adapted for other high-risk patient groups and emphasizes the need for ongoing evaluation and contextual refinement in different departments.