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Exploring the complex interactions of baseline patient factors to improve nursing triage of acute coronary syndrome
Author(s) -
Frisch Stephanie O.,
Brown Julissa,
Faramand Ziad,
Stemler Jennifer,
Sejdić Ervin,
MartinGill Christian,
Callaway Clifton,
Sereika Susan M.,
AlZaiti Salah S.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
research in nursing and health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1098-240X
pISSN - 0160-6891
DOI - 10.1002/nur.22045
Subject(s) - acute coronary syndrome , medicine , triage , emergency department , glycemic , context (archaeology) , emergency medicine , chest pain , emergency nursing , diabetes mellitus , myocardial infarction , insulin , nursing , paleontology , biology , endocrinology
Emergency department (ED) nurses need to identify patients with potential acute coronary syndrome (ACS) rapidly because treatment delay could impact patient outcomes. Aims of this secondary analysis were to identify key patient factors that could be available at initial ED nurse triage that predict ACS. Consecutive patients with chest pain who called 9‐1‐1, received a 12‐lead electrocardiogram in the prehospital setting, and were transported via emergency medical service were included in the study. A total of 750 patients were recruited. The sample had an average age of 59 years old, was 57% male, and 40% Black. One hundred and fifteen patients were diagnosed with ACS. Older age, non‐Caucasian race, and faster respiratory rate were independent predictors of ACS. There was an interaction between heart rate by Type II diabetes receiving insulin in the context of ACS. Type II diabetics requiring insulin for better glycemic control manifested a faster heart rate. By identifying patient factors at ED nurse triage that could be predictive of ACS, accuracy rates of triage may improve, thus impacting patient outcomes.