Which color signifies that a patient is deceased or at the lowest priority in triage?

The color that signifies a patient is deceased or at the lowest priority in triage is black. In the triage system, black is typically designated for patients who are not expected to survive given their injuries or conditions. This allows medical personnel to prioritize resources and treat those with more immediate needs first.

The significance of using black in triage is tied to its function in emergency management, where quickly identifying those beyond help allows responders to focus on patients who can be saved. In contrast, other colors like red indicate critical status and the need for immediate care, yellow signifies significant but not life-threatening conditions, and green represents minor injuries that can wait for treatment. This color-coding system optimizes the effectiveness of resources during a mass casualty incident.