In the context of triage, when is a “red tag” assigned to a patient?

In the context of triage, a "red tag" is assigned to patients requiring immediate attention due to life-threatening conditions. This designation is a crucial part of the triage system frequently employed in emergency scenarios, particularly during mass casualty incidents. The red tag indicates that the patient has critical needs that must be addressed promptly to potentially save their life.

When emergency responders assess victims, they prioritize based on the severity of injuries and the immediacy of medical needs. Patients with a red tag may be experiencing severe hemorrhaging, respiratory distress, or other conditions that pose an imminent threat to their survival. By efficiently categorizing patients in this way, healthcare providers can allocate resources effectively and ensure those in the most critical condition receive care as quickly as possible.

This system is integral to managing emergencies where resources may be limited, allowing responders to focus their efforts where they will have the greatest impact on survival rates.