Triage categories
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Triage Categories in Emergency Care Explained
Understanding Triage Categories
When patients arrive for triage, they are categorised based on the severity of their condition:
- Immediate Response (Red Category): Patients needing urgent attention within zero minutes, typically directed to the resuscitation area. Examples include compromised airways or severe trauma.
- Very Urgent (Orange Category): Patients requiring attention within 10 minutes. This includes cases such as active bleeding or high pain scores necessitating IV analgesia.
- Urgent (Yellow Category): Patients needing assessment within 60 minutes, often treated in majors or ambulatory units. Examples include conditions like cellulitis requiring IV antibiotics.
- Standard (Green Category): Patients with less acute conditions, to be seen within 120 minutes. Includes minor injuries or referrals from GPs not suitable for walk-in centres.
- Non-urgent (Blue Category): Patients requiring assessment within 240 minutes. These cases may be referred to community services, their GP, or a minor injuries unit.
Implementation Across Hospitals
Despite variations in physical locations, the triage categorisation process remains consistent across hospitals:
- The categorisation does not alter the response time or outcome, ensuring uniformity in emergency care.
- Each hospital designates specific areas for different triage categories, such as resuscitation for red patients.
Understanding these categories helps streamline patient care and ensures appropriate prioritisation in emergency departments.