What is the primary objective of triage during a mass casualty incident?

The primary objective of triage during a mass casualty incident is to ensure that the most critical patients receive immediate care. In such situations, resources— including personnel, equipment, and time—are often limited, and not all patients can be treated simultaneously. Triage prioritizes patients based on the severity of their conditions and the likelihood of survival with immediate intervention.

This process aims to identify those who are in critical need of urgent medical attention, such as individuals with life-threatening injuries or conditions, so they can be stabilized and treated first. By focusing on the most critically injured, triage helps to optimize overall patient outcomes and effectively use medical resources.

While minimizing time spent on each patient, treating as many patients as possible, and maintaining a calm environment are all important aspects of emergency care management, they are not the primary goal of triage itself. The essence of triage is prioritization based on clinical urgency, which ultimately helps to save more lives in a chaotic and challenging environment.