Recognition of the Triage Committee for the 2024 CTAS Guideline Update

Abstract

There has been so much happening behind the scenes and
this is such an exciting time for Triage in Canada! We, at
the National Emergency Nurses Association (NENA),
are so excited for the release of the updated 2024 Canadian
Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) Guidelines in February of
this year. This long-anticipated update reflects hundreds of hours of work invested by members of the NENA Triage Committee and reflects a significant advancement in the standardization and quality of emergency care.

Since its initial implementation, CTAS has served as a cornerstone in emergency department triage, ensuring that patients are assessed quickly and consistently according to the severity of their condition. In this revision, presenting complaints have been refined to reflect better the current practice and growing complexity of patient populations, including more nuanced definitions of mental health crises and substance use presentations. A new and enhanced electronic decision-making-support tool that aligns with current evidence and incorporates the new modifiers has been developed.

Importantly, the 2024 CTAS guidelines emphasize cultural
safety, equity, and trauma-informed approaches—an essential step toward reducing systemic biases and promoting a more inclusive health care environment for all Canadians.

This update could not come at a more critical time. With emergency departments often serving as the front door to the health system, and as providers continue to manage surges in demand, accurate triage remains a vital determinant of both individual outcomes and system efficiency.

We commend the National Emergency Nurses Association
(NENA) Triage Committee for their vision, hard work and
diligence in completing this revision. The NENA Board of
Directors would like to recognize the NENA Triage Committee consisting of Joy McCarron (Chair), Jennifer Cameron, Kristen MacKenzie, Kaitlynn Kylie, Tammy Nelson, and Pierre-Luc Tremblay, as well as Leanne Norrena, CTAS National Advisory Committee, for the phenomenal amount of work and hours that was put into these updates.

Their work ensures that CTAS remains not only clinically relevant, but also a powerful tool for improving the safety, flow, and fairness of emergency care delivery nationwide.

The 2024 CTAS update is a reaffirmation of our shared values in emergency medicine: clinical excellence, compassion, and a relentless pursuit of better outcomes for our patients. We, at NENA, would like to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to the members of the triage committee for their countless hours of hard work, late nights, and inspiring levels of dedication in launching a successful CTAS 2024 update!