THE IMPORTANCE OF NURSES IN TRIAGE OF PATIENTS IN EMERGENCY UNITS

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of risk classification is to identify patients with potential risk to life and provide agile and humanized care for serious cases. Care with risk classification is based on a protocol with universal language and is conducted by qualified health professionals, such as nurses and doctors, aiming to determine the severity of the patient's condition and ensure efficient and safe care supported by scientific evidence. The main symptoms are reported by the patient to the nurse, and based on the signs and symptoms observed, they are used to classify the priority of clinical care, which preference is designated by means of colors. Objective: To analyze, in light of the literature, the importance of nurses in triaging patients in emergency units. Methodology: This was a literature review, which was carried out through the Virtual Health Library (VHL), with data from the virtual platforms Nursing Database (BDENF), Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Social and Health Sciences (LILACS) and Brazil Scientific Electronic Library Online (SCIELO), using the descriptors “Triage”, “Nursing” and “Emergency”. I also used the Boolean operator “AND” to combine the search terms. The following inclusion criteria were used: complete articles, in Portuguese, English and Spanish, published in the last 5 years, and incomplete works, theses, monographs and studies that were not part of the proposal theme were excluded. Results: The nurse is responsible for evaluating and classifying the severity of patients in emergencies, assigning a degree of risk that guides care. This process involves listening to complaints, analyzing the physical examination and using protocols to standardize risk classification. The first contact is essential to determine care priorities and ensure quality care. Conclusion: Therefore, continuing education and skills improvement are essential for nursing professionals to be able to provide excellent care, focused on the needs of patients and based on evidence, thus promoting well-being and health.