Disclaimer: If you think you have a medical emergency, call 911. The health tips and information we share on this blog are for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. They are not a substitute for advice from your own doctor or healthcare provider.
In group homes serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), ensuring prompt and effective healthcare can be complex. The needs of individuals with IDD often require specialized attention, and caregivers frequently encounter barriers when trying to secure that care. Nurse telephone triage offers a crucial line of support in this space—especially when done by professionals trained to meet the unique needs of this population.
What Is Nurse Telephone Triage?
It’s the process by which a Registered Nurse (RN) assesses a health concern over the phone, typically reported by a Direct Support Professional (DSP), caregiver, or the individual. The RN does not diagnose conditions but instead uses a structured process to evaluate the urgency and recommend the appropriate level of care.
The American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing (AAACN) recognizes that RNs are qualified to provide this service safely. When nurses are well-trained in triage protocols and the specific needs of the IDD community, telephone triage becomes a vital tool for proactive, whole-person care.
Understanding the Health Realities of the IDD Population
Individuals with IDD often face significant health disparities. Research shows they are:
- Ten times more likely to have unmet healthcare needs.
- More vulnerable to poor health outcomes and abuse.
- Less likely to live as long as their non-disabled peers.
- Four times more likely to be hospitalized after an emergency department (ED) visit.
Moreover, challenges like the national nursing shortage and a lack of IDD-specific training among healthcare workers only widen these gaps. For many individuals with IDD, the emergency room becomes a last resort—not because their needs aren’t urgent, but because earlier intervention wasn’t available.
How Nurse Triage Can Help
When nurses are trained to triage individuals with IDD over the phone, they can help prevent avoidable ED visits and reduce the risk of serious health outcomes. To do this well, nurses need to be familiar with:
The “Fatal Five”
These are five common and preventable conditions that disproportionately affect individuals with IDD:
- Sepsis: Often the result of untreated infections.
- Aspiration: This can lead to pneumonia and then sepsis.
- Dehydration: Increases susceptibility to infection.
- Constipation: This may cause internal infections if left untreated.
- Seizures: A fall from a seizure can result in wounds that may become infected.
Partnering with Caregivers and DSPs
Support staff in group homes are the eyes and ears of the healthcare team. A well-trained nurse must collaborate effectively with DSPs and caregivers, ask detailed questions, and listen closely for signs that something is “off.”
The Bottom Line
Telephone triage isn’t about diagnosing—it’s about identifying when something has changed and taking action before it escalates. For individuals with IDD, timely, informed triage can mean the difference between a manageable issue and a medical emergency.
At StationMD, we are committed to equipping healthcare teams with the training, tools, and support they need to deliver exceptional, specialized care for individuals with IDD—starting with the first phone call. To schedule an appointment, send us a message here.