What is the primary goal of triage in mass casualty situations?

The primary goal of triage in mass casualty situations is to quickly prioritize patients based on the severity of their injuries for efficient treatment. In emergencies where resources are limited and the number of patients exceeds the available medical support, triage allows medical personnel to allocate their efforts effectively. This means assessing which patients have life-threatening conditions that require immediate intervention and which patients can wait for treatment without immediate risk to their lives.

In large-scale incidents, time is critical; therefore, by categorizing patients based on the urgency of their medical needs, rescuers can ensure that those who are most at risk receive care first. This systematic approach helps optimize survival rates and makes the best use of available medical resources.

While treating all patients in the order they arrive may seem logical in a traditional healthcare setting, it fails to address the pressing needs of those in critical condition in a mass casualty context. Evacuating patients to the nearest hospital and providing comfort are also important aspects of care, but they do not align with the main purpose of triage, which is focused on prioritization based on medical urgency.