Triage in the Emergency Department: importance, applicability and regulation

Abstract

Background. Medical triage is a critical component in the efficient functioning of the Emergency Department (ED), allowing for the rapid assessment and classification of patients based on the severity of their clinical condition. This process optimizes the use of medical resources, reduces waiting times. Objective(s). Assessment of the importance of medical triage within the ED of IEM, analysis of the criteria for classifying patients by urgency levels and highlighting the applicable legal framework. Materials and methods. Data from 2024 from the Emergency Reception Unit was analyzed, in correlation with the provisions of the standardized clinical protocol "Triage in emergency reception units", approved by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Moldova (19.05.2017). The distribution of patients was evaluated based on the level of urgency and triage area. Results. In 2024, there were 80,080 admissions in the ED, of which 30,698 (38.3%) required hospitalization. The distribution of patients by urgency levels was: red zone (level Iresuscitation): critical patients 2.7%; yellow zone (level II-critical) had 17.9% cases with major risk. In the green zone (level III-urgent): 30.2%, without immediate life risk, while in the blue zone (level IV-non-urgent) - 37.6%, with minor conditions. Level V-white code, 11.6%, does not require assistance. The identification of 2,146 patients who needed immediate resuscitation demonstrates the efficiency of triage and its vital impact on survival. Conclusion(s). Medical triage, carried out by qualified personnel, allows for the efficient allocation of resources, prevention of overcrowding, and improvement of the quality of emergency medical care. Adhering to the national triage protocol is essential for patient safety and the optimal functioning of the ED.