Using Triage Systems in Emergency Medicine is Crucial for Mass Incidents

Abstract

In an expected mass casualty incident (MCI), victims are usually overwhelmed by local medical system. Triage systems can be traced back to the needs of war in order to get the best results for the majority of the victims. In peacetime the triage systems are used to reallocate the limited medical resources to the victims of MCI. There are several kinds of triage systems in different countries, including the Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment (START), Sort, Assess, Life-saving interventions, Treatment and/or Transport (SALT), Sacco Triage Method (STM), Careflight triage and Triage Sieve (TS). The START system is the most common one and is commonly used in the United States of America. The SALT was developed by a work group of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) using scientific approach. STM is a triage algorithm created for a limited resource environment. In addition, the other triage systems also show their effectiveness in the management of the victims in MCI. Nevertheless, the data of thethes popular triage tools are based on simulated tests, and there is no proof of the validity and reliability of the triage systems. It is therefore important to assess the applicability, reliability, sensitivity and specificity of the current triage tools in the real MCI situation. Also, since different countries employ different triage tools, there is a need for cooperation in order to enhance the management of mass casualty incidents.