Definition & Operational Usage
Triage is the systematic process of categorizing patients based on the urgency of their medical needs, particularly in emergency situations where resources are constrained. This process is vital in mass casualty incidents and is often guided by frameworks such as START (Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment) within the Incident Command System (ICS). Not to be confused with patient assessment, triage specifically focuses on prioritization rather than diagnosis or treatment. Effective triage ensures that the most critically injured receive timely intervention.
Category context: Patient care, assessment, interventions, triage, and EMS system terms commonly used by firefighter/medics.
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