Rachael Colley and Robert Crouch describe an observational study to examine the use of pain assessment tools (PAT) during the triage assessment of patients attending two A&E departments

Triage is not a new concept (Jones 1988), however, it was not until the advent of the Patient’s Charter (1992) that formal systems of triage were required (Crouch and Marrow 1996). The literature suggests that triage reduces anxiety levels for patients and relatives, improves communication, provides a feeling of being well informed, presents a feeling of welcome into the A&E department, and reduces waiting times for most patients (Bailey et al 1987, Mallet and Woolwich 1990; George et al 1992, Hankey 1994).