 French verb “trier” means to sort

 Assigns priorities when resources

limited
 Do the best for the greatest
number of patients
 GOAL:
TO SAVE THE LARGEST NUMBER OF
SURVIVORS FROM A MULTIPLE
CASUALTY INCIDENT
Three Types of Triage

•M.A.S.S triage

•S.T.A.R.T. triage

•ADVANCED triage
Why so many types ?

• MASS triage -divides patients into triage

categories based on their ability to move

• S.T.A.R.T.triage -determines the severity of

injuries

•Advanced triage -more fully assess

injury priorities
MASS triage
MASS triage stands for Move,
Assess, Sort, & Send
S.T.A.R.T.
START stands for Simple Triage &
Rapid Treatment
ADVANCED TRIAGE
The Triage priority determined in
the Treatment Area should be the
priority used for transport
Noji et al, NEJM
 Inadequate resource to meet immediate needs
 Infrastructure limitations
 Inadequate hazard preparation
 Limited transport capabilities
 Multiple agencies responding
 Itidentifies and provides care to those who
are in greatest need
 Helps make the difficult decisions easier
 Assure that resources are used in the most
effective manner
 May take some of the emotional burden away
from those doing triage
Triage Reminders
1. You DO NOT decide who lives or dies

2. The sooner your start Triage the sooner

the medical care process starts

3. Triage is an ongoing process that is

repeated many times

4. If you forget any of the above rules,

go back to rule number 1.