What are the four categories in triage?

The four categories in triage during emergency situations are Immediate, Delayed, Minor, and Deceased.

• Immediate refers to patients who require immediate medical attention to survive. This group includes individuals with life-threatening injuries but who can be stabilized with urgent treatment.

• Delayed includes those whose treatment can be postponed without significantly worsening their condition. These patients are stable but still require care eventually.

• Minor consists of patients with non-life-threatening injuries that can wait for treatment without serious risk.

• Deceased indicates patients who are unresponsive and have no signs of life, which means they are beyond the scope of treatment in those initial triage moments.

Understanding these categories is crucial for effective triage, as they help prioritize care in mass casualty incidents, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently to save the most lives.