Triage is the process of prioritizing patients’ treatments based on the severity of their condition, especially during disasters when there are many injured people. This helps in deciding who should be transported to hospitals and who should receive immediate medical attention.

During disaster relief, it’s crucial to maximize the use of limited rescue workers, medical staff, and medical supplies to treat and transport as many injured people as possible.

Triage Implementation Standards

Triage can be conducted at the disaster site or in hospitals. Here, we will explain the START method used during disasters.

Priority Levels:

1. Red – Immediate Treatment Group: Patients with life-threatening conditions requiring immediate treatment at the site.
2. Yellow – Delayed Treatment Group: Patients who are stable and can wait for treatment without immediate risk to life.
3. Green – Minor Injury Group: Patients with minor injuries that do not require specialized treatment.
4. Black – Deceased Group: Patients who are deceased or have no chance of survival.

Red Tag: Severe Injuries

• Immediate emergency treatment or transportation to the hospital is required.

Yellow Tag: Moderate Injuries

• Treatment is needed after red tag cases are addressed, within 2-3 hours without deterioration.

Green Tag: Minor Injuries

• Non-urgent injuries that can be handled by non-medical personnel.

Black Tag: Deceased

• Patients who are dead or have no signs of life, such as no breathing or pulse. This judgment must be made carefully and respectfully.

START Method Implementation

The START (Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment) method is used during disaster triage. This method is designed to be quick and efficient, suitable for situations with many injured people.

Procedure:

1.Can the patient walk?

• Ask the injured person to walk towards you.
• If they can walk, assess for injuries and classify as “Green” if minor or uninjured.

2.Check breathing for non-walkers:

• If there is no breathing, ensure the airway is clear.
• If there is still no breathing, classify as “Black.”

3.If breathing, check pulse and consciousness:

• If there are abnormalities, classify as “Red.”

4.Those who cannot walk but have no breathing or circulation issues, classify as “Yellow.”

Triage Tag Documentation and Handling

Triage tags are identification tags used during triage. Patients rescued at disaster sites are categorized by the triage officer, typically a doctor or paramedic.

Guidelines for Triage Tagging:

• Primary placement: Right wrist. If injured, use the left wrist, right ankle, left ankle, or neck.
• Documentation Tips and Cautions:
• Pre-fill any information that can be recorded in advance (e.g., institution number, date, location, institution, personnel).
• Leave space for additional notes.
• Limit personal information to the essentials.
• Write concise observations on the back.
• Leave unknown details blank.
• Include the time and name of the person for corrections or additions.
• Use a black permanent pen with strong pressure.
• Complete the documentation at the aid station.

These guidelines ensure the efficient and effective triage and treatment of patients during disasters, maximizing the chances of survival for the most critically injured.

Reference page: Learn about Crush Syndrome in Emergency Situations, its causes, symptoms, and treatments to prevent cardiac arrest and kidney failure during disasters.

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