What is triage in emergency response terms?

Triage is a critical process in emergency response that involves assessing and prioritizing patients based on the severity of their injuries. This systematic approach ensures that medical resources are allocated effectively, enabling responders to provide care to those who need it most urgently while managing a larger number of patients in a disaster situation. By categorizing patients, first responders can make informed decisions about treatment, optimizing survival rates and improving overall outcomes.

In a high-stress environment such as a natural disaster or mass casualty incident, the ability to quickly determine which individuals require immediate medical attention versus those who can wait is essential. This decision-making process is often guided by established triage protocols that help responders manage their time and resources efficiently.