Importance of efficient triage in emergency and urgent care services for optimizing patient care

Abstract

Emergency and urgent care services are essential within the healthcare system, serving as the entry point for patients at immediate risk or with acute conditions requiring rapid intervention. These services face high demand, a diversity of clinical severity, and unpredictability in patient arrivals, creating challenges in care prioritization, organization of care flow, and efficient resource use. Objective: To understand the importance of efficient triage in emergency and urgent care services and its impact on optimizing care, patient safety, and resource utilization. Methodology: An integrative literature review was conducted, gathering evidence from quantitative and qualitative research, systematic reviews, and experience reports. The search included PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, SciELO, and LILACS databases, using the descriptors “Triage,” “Emergency Services,” “Patient Safety,” and “Waiting Time,” considering publications from 2018 to 2025 in Portuguese, English, or Spanish. Results: Efficient triage reduces waiting times for severe cases, improves patient flow predictability, supports time-sensitive interventions, and optimizes resource use.Discussion: Accuracy depends on continuous staff training, use of standardized protocols, and adequate structural resources, such as assessment equipment and computerized decision-support systems. Conclusion: Structured triage is essential to optimize care, ensure safety, reduce waiting times, and improve resource utilization, positively impacting clinical and organizational outcomes.