Additional Triage Category
I suggest that when triaging significant numbers of patients at extremely large incidents (sometimes called Mass Casualty Events as opposed to Mass Casualty Incidents), there can be a need for an additional level of triage. Years ago, that was incorporated in some triage plans as a "Yellow Prime" category. The concept was similar to Expectant. Victims whose injuries were so severe that their chances of survival were ...more »
I suggest that when triaging significant numbers of patients at extremely large incidents (sometimes called Mass Casualty Events as opposed to Mass Casualty Incidents), there can be a need for an additional level of triage.
Years ago, that was incorporated in some triage plans as a "Yellow Prime" category. The concept was similar to Expectant. Victims whose injuries were so severe that their chances of survival were low would be held until less severe, but more survivable injuries could be cared for. More recent triage concepts have sometimes called this the "Blue" category.
Regardless of what it’s termed, there is a big difference between the "Expectant," and those who are unquestionably "Dead". Triage systems need to recognize that, and allow for it.
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