Lecture Notes: Color-Coded Tag System and START Method in Disaster Triage

Introduction

• Speaker: Sarah (Sarah's Thread Sterner)
• Topic: Disaster triage: Color-coded tag system and START method
• Additional Resource: Free quiz available post-lecture

Triage Overview

• Definition: Triage means to group or rank patients based on urgency.
• Context: Used in healthcare settings like the ER; crucial in disaster situations due to limited resources.

Color-Coded Tag System

• Purpose: Identifies patient treatment priority during disasters.
• Colors:
  1. Red: Immediate
     • Highest priority, immediate treatment needed
     • Life-threatening injuries but potentially survivable
     • Examples: Severe spinal cord injuries, shock, severe bleeding, significant burns, severe respiratory trauma
  2. Yellow: Delayed
     • Second priority, treatment can be delayed
     • Serious injuries; current vital signs stable but may worsen
     • Examples: Major bone fractures, deep lacerations
  3. Green: Minor
     • Lowest priority, can walk, non-life-threatening injuries
     • "Walking wounded", minimal injuries
  4. Black: Expectant
     • Deceased or dying; injuries too severe for survival

START Method (Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment)

• Purpose: Assigns tag color quickly and efficiently in disaster scenarios
• Process:
  • Assess Ability to Walk:
    • If able to walk: Tag as Green
  • For Non-Walking Patients:
    • Breathing:
      • If respiratory rate > 30: Tag as Red
      • If not breathing, reposition airway:
        • If still not breathing: Tag as Black
        • If starts breathing: Tag as Red
    • Circulation:
      • Check for radial pulse/capillary refill (< 2 seconds)
      • If absent: Tag as Red
    • Neuro/Mental Status:
      • Assess ability to follow commands
      • If unable: Tag as Red
      • If able: Tag as Yellow

Summary

• Key Points:
  • Only patients who can walk are tagged Green.
  • Non-walking patients are tagged Red, Yellow, or Black based on specific criteria (breathing, circulation, mental status).

Conclusion

• Reminder: Access the free quiz to test your knowledge on this content.