Triage nurse X-ray protocols for hand and wrist injuries.

Enabling triage nurses to request X-rays has a number of benefits for patients and staff. This article describes the development of a protocol and in-house training programme that allows triage nurses to assess patients with hand and wrist injuries, make a differential diagnosis of potential fracture and request X-rays. The protocol not only improves patients' journeys, but also empowers members of the emergency department's nursing team to develop new skills.