Definition & Operational Usage
Medical triage is the systematic process of assessing and prioritizing patients based on the severity of their medical conditions and the immediacy of their treatment needs. This approach is particularly vital in mass casualty incidents, where resources are limited and rapid decision-making is essential. Not to be confused with general patient assessment, which encompasses a comprehensive evaluation, medical triage specifically focuses on determining the order of treatment. It is often integrated within frameworks such as the Incident Command System (ICS) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
Category context: Patient care, assessment, interventions, triage, and EMS system terms commonly used by firefighter/medics.
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