What is "triage" in the context of emergency medical response?

Triage in the context of emergency medical response refers to the process of prioritizing patients based on the severity of their condition. This concept is critical in situations where medical resources are limited, and healthcare providers must make swift decisions about which patients need immediate care versus those who can wait. The goal of triage is to maximize the number of lives saved by ensuring that those who require urgent attention receive treatment first.

In high-stress scenarios such as disaster responses, battlefield medicine, or situations with mass casualties, triage allows medical personnel to effectively manage patient care by quickly assessing the status of multiple patients. This structured approach helps streamline the response effort and optimally allocates limited medical resources.