As we welcome 2025, it’s the perfect time to look back at the most utilized ClearTriage telephone triage protocols of 2024. Continuing from last year’s analysis of the top protocols in 2023, we’ve compiled data from all active ClearTriage accounts and sorted based on the number of times each protocol was copied into the patient’s medical record.
For this year’s list, we once again combined the usage of After Hours and Office Hours protocols to present a comprehensive view of the reasons for patient calls.
While many protocols in the top 20 remain consistent across After Hours and Office Hours usage, there are notable differences in their ordering and a few unique entries in each list. To take a closer look at these variations, check out the individual top 20 lists for After Hours Pediatric Protocols, After Hours Adult Protocols, and their Office Hours counterparts using the links below.
• Pediatric Calls: The top 20 protocols accounted for over 54% of all pediatric calls in 2024; a number that is consistent with last year’s report, though a slight decrease in overall percentage from 2023 is noted.
• Adult Calls: The top 20 protocols made up approximately 42% of all adult calls in 2024, which again is consistent with last year’s report with a slight decrease in overall percentage noted.
Interestingly, ClearTriage’s data aligns closely with trends observed in SymptomScreen, where a small percentage of guides account for a large proportion of usage. For more details on those trends, explore our recently released Most Used SymptomScreen Guides of 2024 article.
As we analyze these patterns, it’s clear that certain patient concerns remain consistently common. This insight helps us further enhance how we support healthcare teams in providing efficient, high-quality care.
Want to see how this year’s data compares to 2023? Take a look at last year’s blog post on the Top 20 ClearTriage Telephone Triage Protocols of 2023 to learn more.
Top 20 Pediatric Protocols Used in 2024
- Cough – 11.3%
- Fever – 3 Months or Older – 5.9%
- Vomiting Without Diarrhea- 3.9%
- Sore Throat – 3.0%
- Eye – Pus or Discharge – 2.7%
- Constipation – 2.6%
- Diarrhea – 2.5%
- Earache – 2.5%
- Head Injury -2.5%
- Medication Question Call – 2.3%
- Colds Without Cough – 2%
- Rash or Redness – Widespread – 1.9%
- Rash or Redness – Localized – 1.8%
- Vomiting With Diarrhea – 1.7%
- COVID-19 – Diagnosed or Suspected – 1.6%
- Immunization Reactions – 1.4%
- Abdominal Pain – Female – 1.2%
- Sinus Pain or Congestion – 1.2%
- Diaper Rash – 1.2%
- Headache – 1.1%
2024 Top 20 Protocols – Office Hours Pediatric PDF
2024 Top 20 Protocols – After Hours Pediatric PDF
Top 20 Adult Protocols Used in 2024
- Cough – 5.6%
- Urinary Symptoms -2.8%
- Back Pain – 2.7%
- Blood Pressure – High – 2.6%
- Chest Pain – 2.5%
- Dizziness – 2.4%
- COVID-19 – Diagnosed or Suspected – 2.4%
- Sore Throat – 2.1%
- Abdominal Pain – Female – 2.1%
- Medication Question Call – 2.1%
- Breathing Difficulty – 2%
- Sinus Pain or Congestion – 1.9%
- Headache – 1.8%
- Diarrhea – 1.7%
- Leg Swelling and Edema – 1.3%
- Rash or Redness – Localized – 1.3 %
- Medication Refill and Renewal Call – 1.2%
- Heart Rate and Heartbeat Questions – 1.2%
- Leg Pain – 1.2%
- Abdominal Pain – Male – 1.2%
2024 Top 20 Protocols – Office Hours Adult PDF
2024 Top 20 Protocols – After Hours Adult PDF
Which Protocols Do My Nurses Use?
ClearTriage includes self-service reporting at no additional cost. To see how your organization compares, run the Protocols Used report in ClearTriage Admin. Click here to see a full list and description of all of the reports available in ClearTriage.
ClearTriage is a web-based decision support tool for telephone triage nurses and the leading provider of the Schmitt-Thompson telephone triage protocols. Start your 30-day free trial today!
