What does triage primarily determine in emergency situations?

Triage fundamentally involves the prioritization of treatment for patients based on the severity of their conditions during emergency situations. It is a critical process that helps medical responders allocate limited resources effectively, ensuring that those who need immediate attention receive it first. In scenarios with multiple victims, such as mass casualty incidents, it becomes essential to identify which patients are stable but require urgent care, which are critical and need immediate intervention, and which can wait for treatment.

The focus on prioritizing care based on patient condition allows emergency personnel to make informed decisions that can significantly improve outcomes. Triage enables medical teams to manage their workload efficiently, maximize their impact, and ultimately save more lives by addressing the most critical needs first.