Objectives: to assess the implementation of a nurse-initiated pain management protocol for patients triaged as semi-urgent, and its impact in pain intensity, in the Emergency Department. Methods: a prospective cohort study for adult patients with pain who had been triaged as semi-urgent and admitted to the hospital’s Emergency Department. Patients who received the intervention (pain-management protocol with analgesic administration) were compared to those who were managed using the conventional approach (physician evaluation prior to analgesic administration). Results: of the 185 patients included, 55 (30%) received the intervention, and 130 (70%) were managed conventionally. Patients in the intervention group were more likely to have taken pain medication in the 4 hours prior to admission, and reported higher levels of pain at admission and more significant reductions in pain level. Conclusions: despite low protocol adherence, the intervention resulted in higher reported pain relief.

A longa espera pelo atendimento nos Serviços de Emergência, associada à queixa de dor, aumenta a insatisfação e o sofrimento do paciente. A enfermagem tem um papel importante ao propor melhores práticas de cuidado garantindo o gerenciamento da dor e a qualidade do atendimento. O uso de Protocolos de Dor com certeza é uma dessas ações de melhoria (1)(2)(3) . ObjetivoAvaliar a implementação do Protocolo de Dor na triagem, em pacientes classificados como Urgência Relativa.