In the event of a mass casualty incident, what is the primary focus of triage?

In the context of a mass casualty incident, the primary focus of triage is to identify individuals who require immediate life-saving interventions. During such events, there is often a significant influx of patients with varying degrees of injuries and medical needs. Triage is a systematic process that prioritizes patients based on the severity of their conditions and the urgency of care required.

The rationale behind this approach is to maximize the number of survivors when resources are limited. Medical personnel must quickly assess each patient and categorize them based on the immediacy of their needs. Those with life-threatening injuries that require immediate intervention are prioritized for treatment to optimize outcomes. This process ensures that those who can be saved with urgent care are seen first, which is crucial in managing the limited resources available during a mass casualty scenario.

The other options focus on different aspects of patient management that do not align with the primary purpose of triage in emergency situations. For example, treating all patients in the order they arrive does not consider the urgency of their medical needs. Determining which patients can leave on their own may not be prioritized in the mass casualty context where immediate attention is necessary to save lives. Establishing a waiting list for treatment fails to address the critical need for rapid intervention for the most severely injured