An excerpt from the course Paramedic Recert EMS Care | 23-MCIT-F3-4111 | TRIAGE

Patient categorization is at the heart of the triage process. The categorization is designed so that the greatest number of people can be saved with the limited resources available. After performing the patient assessment systematically, thoroughly and quickly, the medical responder will assign a category to the patient in accordance with the severity of their injuries.

Categories are closely related to the triage scheme, as the scheme’s algorithm specifies the category to assign to a patient based on pre-defined parameters.

The patient will be physically tagged with a color-coded tag indicating the patient’s triage category to the next medical responder who may assess the patient at a different location. The colors depend on the triage guideline in use by the healthcare provider.

The triage categories as defined in CDC 2011 field triage guidelines are as follows:

• Immediate (Red): Patients with life-threatening injuries or conditions who need immediate medical attention.
• Delayed (Yellow): Patients with non-life-threatening injuries or conditions who can wait for medical attention.
• Minimal (Green): Patients with minor injuries or conditions who can wait the longest for medical attention.
• Expectant (Black): Patients who are unlikely to survive, even with medical attention. Attempting to save them would divert precious resources from other casualties with a greater chance of survival.