Healthcare / Free editable template

Emergency department triage flowchart template

An ED triage flowchart shows how patients move from the door to the right area of the department. This example covers the operational handoffs only: walk-in and ambulance arrival, booking in, triage, streaming to five areas and the re-check loop for people waiting. Clinical criteria and target times stay in your triage system.

This is an operational planning example, not clinical guidance. Triage categories, criteria and target times must come from your organisation's approved triage system and clinical protocols.

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Emergency department triage flowchart example showing walk-in and ambulance arrival routes, streaming to five areas of the ed, waiting re-check loop and timestamps
Everything in this example is editable. Replace the labels, move the shapes and adapt the layout to your work.

How to use this template

  1. Match the areas to your ED

    Rename the streams for the areas your department runs, such as an urgent treatment centre, paediatrics or same-day emergency care. Remove any your hospital does not have, so staff can follow the chart on shift.

  2. Name a role for every handoff

    Write who is responsible at each step, from the receptionist to the flow lead. Handoffs without a named role are where patients can be missed during busy periods.

  3. Record the timestamps you use

    List the times your system captures, such as arrival, triage start and seen. These show where time is lost between steps without putting any clinical criteria on the diagram.

Questions about this template

Can I use this flowchart to decide triage categories?

No. The chart shows the operational route a patient takes and who is responsible at each step. Triage categories and the criteria behind them must come from your organisation's approved triage system and clinical protocols.

Do I need an account to use it?

No. Open the template and edit it in your browser. Your work saves on this device. An account is optional if you want to sync your workspace.

Can I export the finished diagram?

Yes. Use Export in the editor to save a PNG, SVG or PDF, or download an editable .epicdraw backup.

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