triagem

Triagem, in a healthcare context, is the process of determining the priority of patients’ treatments based on the severity of their condition. The aim is to allocate limited medical resources—such as staff, equipment, and beds—to those in greatest need, thereby maximizing the number of lives saved. The concept emerged in military medicine and has been adapted for civilian emergency care, hospitals, and disaster response.

The triage process typically begins with an initial assessment to identify immediate threats to life, followed by categorization into priority levels. Triage is dynamic and ongoing: patients are re-evaluated as their conditions evolve or as resources become available. Accurate documentation and clear communication are essential for handovers and coordination across teams.

Several triage systems are used worldwide. In prehospital and disaster settings, START (Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment) sorts patients into categories such as immediate, delayed, minor, and expectant. In hospital emergency departments, the Emergency Severity Index (ESI) ranges from level 1 (most urgent) to level 5 (least urgent). Many places also employ color-coded schemes—red, orange or yellow, green, and sometimes blue or black—to indicate urgency, with specific codes varying by country or institution.

Limitations and ethics are inherent in triage. Decisions depend on resource availability, prognosis, and clinical judgment, and they raise considerations about fairness, equity, and the potential impact on outcomes. Regular reassessment is essential, as patient status and resource conditions change.

In summary, triage is a structured approach to prioritizing care in situations of constrained capacity, balancing urgency, prognosis, and available resources to optimize patient outcomes.