Date of Award
6-2026
Document Type
DNP Project
College
College of Health & Human Services
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Department
Nursing
First Advisor
Carol Rossman
Second Advisor
Ashley Lambruschi
Abstract
Purpose
This project evaluated the effectiveness of triage protocols based on the Donabedian model in increasing efficiency and flow in primary care clinics. Patients experienced extended wait times in primary care clinics, resulting in aggravated outcomes and dissatisfaction with care delivery. Healthcare providers also experienced stress and burnout due to workload and operational inadequacies. These inefficiencies mandated a quality improvement approach that addressed patient satisfaction, workflow optimization, and resource management.
Methods
This project used structured triage protocol based on the Donabedian model, which addressed the dimensions of structure, process, and outcomes. The proposed solution was disseminated through a quality improvement project, using a non-experimental design to assess the effectiveness of triage protocols based on the Donabedian model in increasing the efficiency and flow in primary care settings; evaluating current programs and focusing on service improvements. Data collection evaluated provider and staff satisfaction levels, triage outcomes, along with pre- and post- implementation of the new triage protocol. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and comparative analysis with paired t-tests.
Results
The results indicated that there were positive changes after implementing the triage protocol. Staff satisfaction scores rose significantly in all dimensions tested, such as workflow efficiency (3.1 to 4.6), communication efficiency (3.4 to 4.5), ability in patient prioritization (3.3 to 4.7), and staff satisfaction (3.3 to 4.7). It was noted that the protocol led to scheduling accuracy, better communication, identifying urgent cases, and boosting confidence in the decision-making process.
Subject Area
Triage (Medicine); Primary care (Medicine); Hospitals--Employees--Job satisfaction; Nursing
Recommended Citation
Mun, Verneita, "Increasing Efficiency and Flow in Primary Care Clinics Using Triage Protocols Based on the Donabedian Model" (2026). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 31.
https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dnp/31
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.