CTAS NAC Committee

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Committee Overview

The Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) National Advisory Committee (NAC), in partnership with the National Emergency Nurses Association (NENA) Triage Committee, provides national leadership in maintaining, updating, and disseminating the CTAS Guidelines and associated education materials. The committee ensures that CTAS remains evidence‑informed, clinically relevant, and aligned with contemporary emergency department (ED) practice across Canada.

Over the past year, the committee focused on the national rollout of the most comprehensive modernization of CTAS in more than a decade, strengthening standardization and supporting safe, timely patient care across the country.

Key Achievements & Highlights

Implementation of Major Guideline Revision

This year marked the completion and national implementation of an extensive, multi‑year revision of the CTAS Guidelines and Education Package. These updates reflect current standards of care in Canadian EDs and include a fully refreshed suite of education and training materials.

Peer‑Reviewed Publication

Canadian Emergency Department Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) Guidelines 2025Hall JN, McCarron J, Toarta C, McLeod SL; CTAS NAC & NENA Triage CommitteeCJEM. 2025 Oct;27(10):774–777. doi: 10.1007/s43678-025-00996-1https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40938532/

National Triage Landscape Survey

A national survey of ED leaders, triage nurses, and physicians was completed to assess current triage practices and identify future needs. A peer‑reviewed manuscript is currently under review with CJEM, with results expected to be shared shortly.

 Impact & Outcomes

Strengthening National Standardization

The updated CTAS Guidelines represent the most substantial modernization in over a decade, directly supporting safer and more consistent triage across Canada. The new education package and validation process ensure that CTAS instructors and instructor trainers maintain high standards and deliver consistent teaching across jurisdictions.

All Instructor Trainers across the country have now been trained on the updated materials, and thousands of frontline triage nurses have completed or begun training. This broad national uptake is supporting consistent application of the updated guidelines. Frontline training remains ongoing.

National and International Reach

The committee continues to receive inquiries from international partners regarding CTAS licensing and adaptation, reinforcing Canada’s leadership in emergency triage systems and expanding opportunities for global collaboration.

Metrics & Data

• Thousands of nurses trained nationally using updated CTAS materials

• 1 peer‑reviewed publication accepted; 1 additional manuscript under review

• 1 national triage survey completed, with results pending

Challenges & Opportunities

Challenges

• System‑level implementation burden: Updating electronic triage systems across diverse ED environments requires significant local IT and operational support.

• Education transition period: Ensuring all instructor trainers and frontline triage nurses complete the new validation process requires coordination across provinces and health systems.

Opportunities

• AI/ML integration: The committee is exploring opportunities to incorporate AI/ML into the triage process, supporting innovation and future research.

• International partnerships: Growing interest in CTAS licensing and adaptation presents opportunities for expanded global collaboration.

• Future iteration planning: Ongoing feedback collection will inform the next guideline cycle and support continuous improvement.

Looking Ahead (2026–2027)

Key priorities for the coming year include:

• Launching and disseminating results from the National Triage Landscape Survey

• Planning for the next CTAS iteration, incorporating user feedback and emerging evidence

• Exploring AI‑enabled triage decision support with national partners

• Welcoming the new NENA Co‑Chair and strengthening inter‑organizational collaboration

• Evaluating opportunities for international CTAS contracts and knowledge exchange