Triage
Written by Anam Hussain
Definition:
Triage can be defined as the process of sorting casualties. Casualties are evaluated and sorted based upon immediacy of treatment needed and are then set-up for immediate or delayed treatment. Triage is performed as quickly as possible after the victim is located or rescued. The objective of triage is to provide timely medical aid and evacuation to maximal number of injured.
There are three main types of triage:
- Primary triage
- Primary medical triage
- Prehospital medical triage
- Primary Triage
Is performed in the AOD by members of the search and rescue teams. Their aim is to evacuate as many casualties as possible before they die. Triage in this case is performed based on two principles: the urgency of medical aid and evacuation priority. Based on urgency of medical aid, there are 4 main groups of casualties in the AOD.
T1- immediate| Code: Red
- Casualties in this category require immediate, life-saving medical aid.
- Casualties are usually present with the following injuries: insufficiency of breathing and/or circulation, unconsciousness, disturbed mentality, massive bleeding, shock
- Evacuated as E1
T2- Delayed| Code: Yellow
- Casualties may have injuries but none of which are a threat to life, limbs or sight.
- Definitely require professional care but immediate treatment is not imperative
- Medical aid could possibly be postponed
- Evacuated as E2
T3- Minor| Code: Green
- Casualties in this category have sustained minor injuries or low-level stress reaction
- They can move independently to the nearest medical facility
- There is no threat to their life or harm in ability if treatment is delayed
- Those which cannot evacuate by themselves are evacuated as E3
T4- Expectant| Code: violet/blue
- Casualties present with severe medical injuries, requiring specialised medical help that is not available on hand.
- Have doubtful prognosis and require complex and time-consuming treatment
- These casualties are usually treated after the other casualties are dealt with
T5- dead| code Black
- Casualties re declared dead when there is no sign of respiration following 2 attempts of opening the airways
- CPR is not performed in the area of damage because it requires tremendous amount of time and human resources
Primary triage steps:
- After entering the AOD the rescuer signals his/her own presence and summons all those who are mobile and understanding. These casualties are code green T3
- If no threat to their life is present they are asked to assist the rescue operation