Triage tag

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  Triage tag used in a deconference in 2002

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  Cruciform Triage card

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  Triage tags used by the Tokyo Fire Department

Triage Tag

A triage tag is a tool used in emergency medicine to classify patients based on the severity of their condition and the urgency of their need for medical treatment. Triage tags are an essential component of the triage process, which is used to prioritize patient care in situations where resources are limited, such as during mass casualty incidents (MCIs).

Purpose

The primary purpose of a triage tag is to provide a quick and efficient method for first responders and medical personnel to assess and communicate the status of patients. This allows for the effective allocation of medical resources and ensures that patients receive the appropriate level of care in a timely manner.

Design

Triage tags are typically color-coded and may include sections for recording vital information about the patient. The most common color-coding system used in triage tags is:

• Red: Immediate care required. These patients have life-threatening injuries or conditions that require immediate medical intervention.
• Yellow: Delayed care. These patients have serious injuries that are not immediately life-threatening and can wait for a short period before receiving treatment.
• Green: Minor injuries. These patients have minor injuries and can wait longer for treatment or may be able to self-treat.
• Black: Deceased or expectant. These patients are either deceased or have injuries that are not survivable with the available resources.

Components

A typical triage tag includes the following components:

• Patient Information: Space to record the patient's name, age, and other identifying information.
• Vital Signs: Sections to document vital signs such as heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure.
• Injury Description: A section to describe the nature and extent of the patient's injuries.
• Treatment Provided: Space to note any treatment or interventions that have been administered.
• Triage Category: The color-coded section indicating the triage category assigned to the patient.

Usage

Triage tags are used in a variety of settings, including:

• Emergency departments
• Disaster response
• Military medicine
• Pre-hospital care

In these settings, triage tags help streamline the process of patient assessment and ensure that medical personnel can quickly identify and prioritize patients based on the severity of their condition.

Related Pages

• Triage
• Mass casualty incident
• Emergency medicine
• First responder

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