During a mass casualty incident, what is the primary goal of triage?

The primary goal of triage during a mass casualty incident is to maximize the number of survivors. In such situations, medical personnel are faced with a large number of casualties and limited resources. Triage helps prioritize patient care based on the severity of injuries and the likelihood of survival with immediate treatment.

By focusing on maximizing survivability, responders can allocate resources more effectively, ensuring that those who are most likely to benefit from intervention receive it first. This approach is essential in scenarios where overwhelming demand exceeds available medical support, as it allows for strategic decision-making that can ultimately save lives.

While treating all patients equally and understanding each patient's medical history are important in broader medical practice, they are not feasible in a mass casualty scenario where quick judgments must be made to address the needs of the greatest number of patients efficiently. Similarly, minimizing the use of medical resources is a consideration but is secondary to the overarching objective of survival. Hence, the core mission during triage is to maximize survival rates in the face of overwhelming need.