The Australasian Triage Scale (ATS) can be used to triage a patient with a mental health problem.
|
Clinical Status
|
Acuity
|
Category
|
|
severe disturbance with immediate threat of dangerous violence
|
immediately life-threatening
|
1
|
|
violent or aggressive; immediate threat to others; need for restraints; severe agitation
|
imminently life-threatening or important time critical treatment
|
2
|
|
very distressed; risk of deliberate self-harm; acute psychosis; situational crisis; agitated or withdrawn
|
potentially life-threatening or situational urgency
|
3
|
|
under observation; no immediate risk to self or others; semi-urgent problem
|
potentially serious or significant complexity
|
4
|
|
known patient with chronic symptoms; social crisis with client clinically well
|
less urgent or an administrative problem
|
5
|
|
Category
|
Response (Assessment and Treatment)
|
|
1
|
immediate and simultaneous
|
|
2
|
within 10 minutes
|
|
3
|
start within 30 minutes
|
|
4
|
start within 60 minutes
|
|
5
|
start within 120 minutes
|
