Final answer:
Triage in a mass casualty event involves categorizing patients based on the severity of their injuries or illnesses to allocate resources efficiently. There are four categories: immediate/urgent, delayed, minimal, and expectant. Effective triage helps save lives by prioritizing treatments based on the severity of injuries.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a mass casualty event, the triage process involves prioritizing patients based on the severity of their injuries or illnesses. The goal of triage is to allocate resources efficiently and effectively. There are typically four categories used in triage: immediate/urgent, delayed, minimal, and expectant. Patients in the immediate/urgent category require immediate medical attention to save their lives. Those in the delayed category can wait for treatment without their condition worsening. Patients classified as minimal have minor injuries or illnesses that can be treated later, while those in the expectant category have injuries or illnesses that are so severe that they are not expected to survive even with medical intervention.
During a mass casualty event, it is crucial for triage professionals to quickly assess patients and assign them to the appropriate category. This allows medical personnel to prioritize treatments and resources based on the severity of injuries. Effective triage ensures that the maximum number of lives can be saved.