TRIAGE APPROACHES AND CARE PRIORITIES IN PATIENTS WITH CHEST PAIN IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Chest pain is one of the main reasons for emergency department visits and represents a significant challenge for healthcare professionals due to its diverse etiologies, which include benign and potentially fatal conditions, such as acute coronary syndrome. Triage and prioritization of patients with chest pain are essential to optimize the flow of care, reduce waiting times, and improve clinical outcomes. This integrative review aims to analyze and summarize the triage approaches and prioritization systems used in the care of patients with chest pain in emergency departments. Studies that discuss triage protocols such as the Emergency Severity Index (ESI) and the Manchester Triage System (MTS) were included, as well as the use of biomarkers and clinical scales, such as the HEART score, for risk stratification. The results indicate that the combination of initial clinical assessment, laboratory tests, and risk stratification tools has shown efficacy in the early identification of patients at high risk of adverse events, allowing for more efficient prioritization and a reduction in mortality and associated morbidity. However, implementation and adherence to these protocols still face challenges, especially in high-demand, resource-limited settings.