Triage

Baron Larrey sets forth the first principles for the triage of multiple casualties at the beginning of the 19th century. Triage is a medical procedure in its own right and is of fundamental importance when the emergency medical needs (i.e., the number of victims) exceed the available resources - the very definition of a disaster. Accordingly, the principle according to which each victim or patient must receive the best care that he or she has a right to expect is transformed during a disaster situation to the principle that care must be provided to the largest number of victims. The aim of triage is thus to enable the most efficient use of resources such that all victims receive care that is appropriate to the severity of their injuries and the degree of urgency.