Triage• French word

meaning “to sort

What is Triage?• The process of assessing patients

to determine management priorities

Question #

• In a Bus accident involving injuries of different types to people of different ages , who shall you save first ?

• a. 70 year old man with arm fracture • b. 2 year old boy with wound on his right

foot • c. pregnant women with knee injury • d. 18 yr old lady with throat and nose

bleeding

In the principles of Assessment which of the client should be the first to be attended to ?

a.13 year old boy with right arm fracture

b.4 months pregnant bleeding women 2

c. A stroke patient grasping for air

d. An adult with 2nd degree burns of his left leg and thigh

Triage in Emergency and Disaster

Question

Which of the following words is not associated

with Triage ?

• a. Process c. Assess• b. Sort d. Prioritize

Sort the Injured Patient

Why is there a need to sort patients?

Question• Why do we have to do Triage ?• a. To increase the number of survivor in an accident

• b. To maximize use of insufficient medical resources

• c. To apply systematic approach during Emergency

• d. All of the above

Why sort or classify patients?

• For insufficient medical resources to be available to all who need help.

Types of Triage

Question

• What are the two types of Triage ?

What are the classes of patients in emergency?

Question #

• What are the two classes of patient in emergency ?

Levels of Triage System

LEVEL Color Coding

1. Immediate Red

2. Delayed Yellow

3. Minimal Green

4. Expectant Black

CATEGORY MEANING OUTCOME

1. Immediate Acute danger for life.

Life threatening injuries. Requires immediate medical attention and will not survive if not seen soon.

Examples

1. Tension pneumothorax

2. Massive Hemorrhage (Shock)3. Cardiac tamponade4. Major traumatic amputation

In the 4-level triage system

Life threatening injuriesImmediate medical attention and will not

survive if not seen soon

Minor injury or no injury.

“Walking wounded”.

Question

• In an Immediate category Triage System which of the following is not involved ?\

• a. “Can Wait “• b. Patient will not survive if not seen soon. • c. Red color code • d. None of the above

CATEGORY MEANING OUTCOME

2. Delayed Severe injury. life-threatening, but can wait until the Immediate casualties are stabilized and evacuated. Constant observation

Examples

• Pulmonary contusion• Flail chest with hypoxia• Minor amputations• Flesh wounds• Fractures and dislocations

Question

• In a Delayed category Triage System which of the following is not involved ?

• a. Injuries “Can Wait “• b. Survival is possible • c. Red color code • d. None of the above

CATEGORY MEANING OUTCOME

3. Minimal Minor injury or no injury.

“Walking wounded”.

Treatment when practical, transport and/or dischargeRequires medical attention when all higher priority patients have been evacuated.

Examples

• Minor lacerations• Sprains• Abrasions• Non-displaced, minimally angulated closed

fractures of the digit

• “Walking Injured”

Question

• In a Minimal category Triage System which of the following is not involved ?

• a. Injuries “Can Wait “• b. Minor injury or no injury.• c. Black color code • d. Walking wounded

CATEGORY MEANING OUTCOME

4. Expectant No or small chance of survival; no spontaneous breathing after clearing of airway; or dead

Expected not to reach higher medical support alive.If dead, collection and guarding of bodies, identification when possible.

Examples

• Severe injuries, uncompensated blood loss, • Negative neurological assessment • No spontaneous breathing after clearing of

airway

Examples

• Unresponsive patient with open head wound and exposed brain

• Burns: 2° and 3°, more than 50% TBSA• Exposure to radiation: more than 500rads

with immediate signs of radiation sickness

Expectant

Question

• In a Black color category Triage System which of the following is not involved ?

• a. No breathing • b. Patient “ can wait ”• c. Expectant • d. Identification is needed

Match the Category with the color coding

Category

1. Delayed2. Minimal3. Expectant4. Immediate

Color

A. RedB. BlackC. GreenD. yellow

Matching Type

Category Response / Patient Description

A. Patient “can wait” B. No breathing C. Acute danger D. Identification is neededE. No chance of survivalF. Walking injuredG. Immediate medical

attentionH. Transport / discharge

1. Delayed2. Minimal3. Expectant4. Immediate