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very distressed; risk of deliberate self-harm; acute psychosis; situational crisis; agitated or withdrawn |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 |
Specialty: Psychiatry