<p>
	A new system to prioritise children who attend emergency departments has been launched by the Health Service Executive.</p>
<p>
	The Irish Children&#39;s Triage System has been developed from the experience of doctors and nurses.</p>
<p>
	Up to now children who attend general hospital emergency departments have been assessed using an adult scoring system.</p>
<p>
	This is no longer seen as best practice, given the age-related physiological differences with children, their specific presenting signs and symptoms and paediatric diagnoses.</p>
<p>
	The HSE&#39;s national medicine emergency programme says the new system will ensure safer, more effective and timely care for children.</p>
<p>
	It should also result in more children being admitted where necessary and not being discharged.</p>
<p>
	There are over 20 hospitals where acutely-ill or injured children are seen.</p>
<p>
	Children account for around a quarter of all attendances at regional emergency departments.</p>
<p>
	In addition, over 110,000 children attend the three paediatric-only emergency departments in Dublin each year.</p>
<p>
	The system has been piloted in six hospitals and will become the national standard for all children who present to emergency departments .</p>
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	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	(Published by RTE.ie on the 16th June 2016)</p>
<p>
	<a href="http://www.rte.ie/news/2016/0616/796002-children-emergency-departments/">http://www.rte.ie/news/2016/0616/796002-children-emergency-departments/</a></p>
