Outpatient Triage Models and Older Adults: An Opportunity for Improvement

As health care systems seek to reduce unnecessary emergency department (ED) visits and improve access to care,1 many have implemented centralized outpatient triage (OPT) models.2 These systems, often telephonic and registered nurse-led, are designed to help patients navigate symptomology.2 The intent of OPT models is to improve patient outcomes and system efficiency by directing patients to the most appropriate level of care, whether ED, urgent care, primary care, or another outpatient service.3 In practice, these models have demonstrated strengths in providing timely access to clinical assessment,2 scalability,3 and safe resolution of straightforward cases,2,3 which explains their widespread adoption across health systems.