Assessment of Triage Systems and Patient Flow Management at Primary Healthcare Centres in Kano State

Background: Effective triage and patient flow management are critical to reducing waiting times, preventing adverse outcomes, and optimising healthcare resources in primary care settings. This study assesses triage systems and patient flow management at selected primary healthcare centres in Kano State, North West geopolitical zone. Methods: A facility-based observational and mixed-methods study was conducted at 12 primary healthcare centres. Direct observation of patient flow, structured staff interviews, and patient exit surveys were used to collect data. Flow mapping techniques identified bottlenecks in the patient journey. Results: Formal triage systems were absent at most facilities. Patient flow bottlenecks were concentrated at registration and pharmacy dispensing stages. Long waiting times were the most frequently cited source of patient dissatisfaction. Facilities with a dedicated triage nurse demonstrated significantly shorter time-to-first-assessment metrics. Conclusion: Patient flow inefficiencies at primary healthcare centres in Kano State undermine service quality and patient experience. Family medicine departments should lead the implementation of structured triage systems and process improvement initiatives to reduce waiting times and enhance care efficiency. Keywords: triage, patient flow, primary healthcare, Kano State, quality improvement