Rapid hs-Troponin Protocol in EDs —
Rapid hs-Troponin Protocol in EDs —
Key points :
• >32,500 patients with chest pain included in the RACE-IT study.
• Patients evaluated in:
– 5 hospital EDs
– 4 freestanding EDs:
(Freestanding ED: a fully equipped 24/7 emergency department located outside a hospital, providing rapid diagnosis and stabilization, with transfer to hospitals if admission is needed.)
• hs-troponin protocols allow MI rule-out in ~1 hour, faster than traditional multi-hour testing.
• Safe discharge rates
– Hospital EDs: 50–54%
– Freestanding EDs: 86–95%
• Freestanding EDs achieved higher safe discharge rates for low-risk chest pain patients with similar safety outcomes.
• Clinical impact:
– Faster ACS rule-out
– Shorter ED stay
– Fewer cardiac tests and cardiology consultations
• Safety:
– No increase in adverse events or revascularization.
• Freestanding EDs represent ~11% of emergency departments in the United States and are rapidly expanding.
Source
• Medical news report , March 5, 2026
• RACE-IT Study – Academic Emergency Medicine, 2026
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/15532712
