| Triage Plan 1. The Incident Command System format will be followed. 2. After assessing the scene and making proper notifications, the first arriving ambulance will be assigned to scene triage. The highest medically trained individual will assume the position of Triage Officer and report to the Incident Commander. The Triage Officer's duties include: - Organizing and supervising the triage team - On-line communication with Medical Control to give status and updates of scene - Organization of treatment area(s) and coordination of patient transport. 3. In cases of multiple scene locations, the first unit at each scene will perform the triage function at that location. 4. The triage team may be assisted by other agencies, however, all persons performing triage should be licensed at a minimum as Emergency Medical Technician. 5. The triage team members will wear identification: (triage) vests. Additional vests may be obtained from other arriving ambulances. 6. Patients will be triaged in a 4-color priority system, following EMS protocols guidelines. These guidelines are summarized as follows: A. BLACK = Priority 4 or 5 B. RED = Priority 1 C. YELLOW = Priority 2 D. GREEN = Priority 3 7. Triage information should be placed on the triage card obtained from the ambulance disaster kit. Additional cards should be obtained from other responding units. The card should be torn off to indicate the correct patient color code. It should then be attached to a limb of the patient, in plain view to other scene workers. 8. Triage IPS (Initial Patient Survey) information should only include enough information to classify the patient. Additional IPS information may be added to the card at a later time. 9. In cases of major disasters (20 or more ill or injured), patients should be immobilized (where necessary), and moved to a patient holding area. The holding area will be designated by a sign, with individual color markers for each class of patient. The holding areas should be placed so that the critical (RED) patients are closest to the ambulance access point. 10. Upon completion of the initial triage process, the triage team will report to the scene supervisor for assignment. |