In a mass casualty incident, what is the primary goal of triage?

In a mass casualty incident, the primary goal of triage is to ensure that the most critical patients receive care first. This process is essential because resources—such as medical personnel, equipment, and transport—are often limited when dealing with multiple injured individuals. By prioritizing treatment based on the severity of injuries, triage allows responders to allocate their limited resources effectively.

This method aims to maximize survival by addressing the needs of those who are most at risk of death if immediate care is not provided. Triage systems categorize patients into different urgency levels, enabling emergency medical services to make informed decisions about who needs immediate attention and who can safely wait.

While transporting patients to hospitals, accurately documenting injuries, and providing comfort care are important aspects of emergency care, they are secondary to the critical objective of triage in a mass casualty scenario. The essence of triage lies in rapid assessment and prioritization to save the most lives possible in the face of overwhelming demand for medical attention.