Triage Sieve

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Release 22.0, Sept. 2008

The Medical Algorithms Project

Chapter :

ch29. Trauma & Emergency Medicine

Section :

Triage of the Trauma Patient

Triage Sieve

Online Excel

Overview :

The Triage Sieve can be used to quickly triage patients when at the scene of a multiple casualty incident.

Evaluation	Cold or Poor Lighting	Triage Category
walking		priority 3 (delayed)
not breathing with an open airway		dead
respiratory rate < 10 or > 29 breaths per minute		priority 1 (immediate)
capillary refill <= 2 seconds	pulse <= 120 beats/minute	priority 2 (urgent)
capillary refill > 2 seconds	pulse > 120 beats/	priority 1 (immediate)

where:

• The capillary refill was given as < 2 vs > 2 seconds. I made it "<=" 2 seconds.

Performance:

• The sensitivity was low at 45%, with specificity about 88%.

• Counting respirations may be difficult in a fully clothed person and in poor lighting conditions.

References:

Garner A, Lee A, et al. Comparative analysis of multiple-casualty incident triage algorithms. Ann Emergency Medicine. 2001; 38: 541-548.

Hodgetts TJ, Mackaway-Jones K, et al. Major Incident Medical Management and Support: The Practical Approach. 1995. BMJ Publishing Group.

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