What is the purpose of triage in a mass casualty incident?

The purpose of triage in a mass casualty incident is to prioritize patients based on the severity of their injuries. This process is crucial in emergency situations where resources, such as medical personnel and equipment, are limited. By assessing the injuries and determining the urgency of treatment required, responders can ensure that those patients who need immediate care to survive are attended to first.

This approach maximizes the effectiveness of the available medical response and increases the chances of survival for the greatest number of individuals. The prioritization process is typically categorized into different levels, often using color-coded systems, which help responders quickly identify which patients need urgent attention and which can wait for treatment without immediate life-threatening consequences.

Treating all patients equally or transporting them in the order of arrival could lead to preventable deaths in situations where immediate action is necessary. Similarly, while stabilizing patients is an important aspect of care, it should occur after assessing and prioritizing the needs of the patients to ensure that resources are allocated effectively.