EM midterm: Triage ppt

Questions and Answers

What is the primary goal of triage in emergency situations?

To ensure all patients receive immediate treatment

To minimize the use of medical resources

To prioritize patients based on age

To deliver patients to definitive care quickly and safely (correct)

Which triage scale uses a color-coding system that includes black, red, yellow, and green?

Australian Triage Scale

START Triage (correct)

Manchester Triage Scale

Canadian Emergency Department Triage and Acuity Scale

What is the purpose of extraordinary triage?

To speed up the decision-making for individual patients

To ensure that all patients are seen within one hour

To treat all patients equally regardless of injury severity

To manage triage during mass casualty incidents (correct)

Which of the following is NOT a kind of triage mentioned?

Rapid Response Scale Signup and view all the answers

Which triage scenario is characterized by extraordinary triage methods?

A natural disaster causing multiple injuries Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary feature of ordinary triage when compared to extraordinary triage?

Involves standardized assessment of all patients Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios would require extraordinary triage?

A multiple vehicle crash with potential fatalities Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic defines a patient classified with a green triage level in the START system?

Is able to walk and has minor injuries Signup and view all the answers

In the context of emergency medicine, what is the ultimate goal of triage?

To allocate resources effectively for the greatest impact Signup and view all the answers

Which triage scale is most closely associated with incident types like natural disasters or terror attacks?

Extraordinary Triage Signup and view all the answers

What assessment criteria must be met for a patient to be classified as yellow in START triage?

Respiratory rate less than 30 and capillary refill less than 2 seconds Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Triage Overview

Triage is a process used to prioritize patient care based on the severity of their condition and the resources available.
Two main types of triage: Ordinary Triage and Extraordinary Triage.

Ordinary Triage

Involves standard assessment methods for patients.
Common systems include:
- Emergency Severity Index (ESI)
- Australian Triage Scale
- Canadian Emergency Department Triage and Acuity Scale
- Manchester Triage Scale
- Soterion Rapid Triage Scale
Aims to efficiently match patient acuity with the appropriate medical resources.
Fast track areas allow quicker processing of less critical patients while maintaining main treatment areas for severe cases.

Extraordinary Triage

Activated during significant emergencies, such as mass casualty incidents.
Critical events involve:
- Natural disasters (e.g., hurricanes, earthquakes)
- Terror attacks
- Multiple vehicle crashes
- HAZMAT (Hazardous Materials) releases
Prioritizes care in situations with overwhelming numbers of patients needing immediate attention.

Triage Goals

Key objective: "Do the most good for the most patients."
Ensure quick and safe delivery of patients to definitive care.
START (Simple Triage And Rapid Transport) method is used for emergency situations.

START Triage Levels

Black: Deceased or severely injured – no chance of survival.
Red: Immediate transport needed – life-threatening conditions requiring prompt care.
Yellow: Delayed transport – serious but not life-threatening.
Green: Minor injuries – walking wounded, can wait for care.

START Triage Simplified

Remember key indicators: 30 and 2, Can Do.
Patients can be classified as Green if they can walk and have reliable signs of stability.
Yellow classification applies if the following conditions are met:
- Respiratory Rate (RR) < 30
- Capillary refill time indicates reasonable circulation.