Operational Medicine Medical Education and Training

FMST Student Manual - 2008 Web Edition*

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

Field Medical Training Battalion
Camp Lejeune

 FMST 1421

Conduct Casualty Triage

TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1.    Given multiple casualties in a simulated combat environment, standard field medical equipment and supplies, conduct triage to identify triage categories for medical treatment, per the references.  (FMST-HSS-1421)

2.    Given multiple casualties in an operational environment, necessary medical equipment and supplies, manage mass casualty incident, per the references.  (FMST-HSS-1422)

ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1.    Without the aid of references, given a description or list, identify the tactical principles of triage, per the student handout.  (FMST-HSS-1421a)

2.    Without the aid of references, given a descriptive list of injuries, identify the appropriate triage categories for specific injuries, per the student handout. (FMST-HSS-1421b)

3.    Given multiple casualties in an operational environment, necessary medical equipment and supplies, coordinate a mass casualty incident, per the references.  (FMST-HSS-1422a)

1.    TACTICAL TRIAGE

Triage is a French word meaning “to sort”.  Casualties are sorted into groups based on their immediate medical needs.  Using a standardized approach to triage casualties helps combat medics correctly segregate, treat, and prioritize evacuation in the shortest time possible.  The realities of combat dictate that battlefield triage must take place in an environment limited in resources for treatment and transport.  Triaging casualties merely establishes order of treatment and movement (see box 1).  Although all casualties require treatment, triage aids the Corpsman in deciding which casualties have the greatest probability of survival and helps weigh the casualties need for lifesaving interventions (LSIs), thus determining priority and urgency for treatment and evacuation. 

Triage establishes the patients’ category.  Although the type and extent of the wound may offer clues as to the triage category a patient may fall into, it is their physiological state (how well there body is working) that is the critical factor.  For instance, a patient with a weak radial pulse indicates an estimated systolic blood pressure of 80 mm/Hg.  Studies of combat related injuries indicate that 32% of these individuals will die.  The absence of a radial pulse indicates a systolic blood pressure of less than 50 mm/Hg.  The same study reported that 92% of these individuals will die.  On the other hand, a separate trauma study indicated that no casualty died if they presented during the first stages of triage with a palpable radial pulse and the ability to follow simple commands. 

2.      PRINCIPLES OF TACTICAL TRIAGE

- Accomplish the greatest good for the greatest number of casualties

- Employ the most efficient use of available resources

- Return personnel to duty as soon as possible 

3.      THE FOUR CATEGORIES OF TACTICAL TRIAGE

Categories are color coded and are recognized as follows:

MINIMAL (GREEN TAG)

Also known as the “walking wounded.”  Although these patients may appear to be in bad shape at first, remember, it is their physiological state that tells the true story. 

Examples include but are not limited to – small burns, lacerations, abrasions, and small fractures.

These casualties have minor injuries and can usually care for themselves with self-aid or “buddy aid”.  These casualties should still be employed for mission requirements (e.g., scene security). 
 

DELAYED (YELLOW TAG)

The delayed category includes wounded casualties who may need surgery, but whose general condition permits a delay in surgical treatment without unduly endangering life or limb.  Medical treatment (splinting, pain control, etc.) will be required but it can wait.

Examples include but are not limited to – casualties with no evidence of shock who have large soft tissue wounds, fractures of major bones, intra-abdominal or thoracic wounds, or burns to less than 20% of total body surface area.

Box 1:  Triage in Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC)

  

IMMEDIATE (RED TAG)

The immediate category includes casualties who require immediate LSI and/or surgery.  Put simply, if medical attention is not provided, the patient will die. The key to successful triage is to locate these individuals as quickly as possible.  Casualties do not remain in this category for an extended period of time, they are either found, triaged and treated, or they will die!

Examples include but are not limited to – hemodynamically unstable casualties with airway obstruction, chest or abdominal injuries, massive external bleeding, or shock.  

      EXPECTANT (BLACK TAG)

Casualties in this category have wounds that are so extensive that even if they were the sole casualty and had the benefit of optimal medical resources, their survival would be highly unlikely.  Even so, expectant casualties should not be neglected.  They should receive comfort measures, pain medications, if possible, and they deserve re-triage as appropriate. 

Examples include but are not limited to – casualties with penetrating or blunt head wounds and those with absent radial pulses.

4.  Because the tactical environment precludes an extensive array of monitoring equipment, optimal battlefield treatment and evacuation rely on simple triage tools.  Based on research by the Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care, a triage decision algorithm has been developed (see figure 1).  Using this method will enable the FMST to perform an initial triage of many individuals in a quick and systematic manner.

- Patients who can ambulate and follow instructions usually will fall into the minimal category.  Statements such as “If you can hear my voice get up and move behind the building” (or any other place tactically correct) can triage a large portion of the casualties in a short time.

- Patients with obvious signs of death can be initially placed in the expectant category.

- Casualties who do not fit either of the above categories will need further evaluation.

- Massive bleeding is the most obvious sign of the need for a LSI.  It may need a tourniquet, a hemostatic agent, or a pressure bandage.

- Once the LSI has been performed the patient is immediately re-triaged.

- According to the algorithm, patients are placed in the delayed category if they can obey simple commands, possess a normal radial pulse, and are not in respiratory distress.


5.  MASS-CASUALTY TRIAGE  

Corpsmen operating in a tactical environment must always be prepared to deal with a mass casualty incident.  Units must establish and rehearse plans for dealing with such a situation.  In a mass casualty situation those responsible for triage must remember that triage is not treatment and constant reassessment is needed to identify casualties who may have deteriorated or improved.

6. TRIAGE TAGS

Triage tags are designed to communicate the triage category, treatment rendered, and other medical information.  By necessity, the information on the tag is brief.  Triage tags are usually placed on the casualty by the triage officer although other members of the team may place or add information to the tags.

NATO Card (METTAG: Medical Emergency Triage Tag) (see figure 2)

Purpose

- To furnish the attending care provider during the evacuation of a casualty with essential information about the injury or disease and the treatment provided.

- The sole or initial medical record for the troops injured in combat. 

- Each triage tag is coded with a unique sequential seven-character serial number used for identification and tracking of the casualty.  The serial number is located on the top right and left diagonal tear-offs.

Routing

- The card stays with the patient at all times.

- The yellow corner with the ambulance picture and a serial number stays with the evacuating vehicle.

- The yellow corner with the first aid sign and serial number stays at the BAS.

 

NATO CARD (METTAG)
 (FRONT) 

NATO CARD (METTAG)
(BACK)

Figure 2.  NATO Card (METTAG)

 REFERENCES

Tactical Emergency Care, Pgs. 230-245                                            

Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support; Military Edition, 6th Ed, Chapter 23

REV: July 2008


Triage Review

1.  Describe the general condition of a patient in the “delayed category”.

2.   What is the key to successful triage?

3.   List two important things for the triage Corpsman to remember when dealing with a mass casualty scenario.

4.  Using the triage algorithm, a patient that can obey simple commands,  has a normal radial pulse, and is not in respiratory distress would be placed in which category?

 

*The FMST Student Manual was produced by the Field Medical Training Battalion-East, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. This 2008 web edition has been enhanced by the Brookside Associates, Ltd., preserving all of the original text material, while augmenting, modifying, eliminating or replacing some of the graphics to comply with privacy and copyright laws, and to enhance the training value. These enhancements are marked with a red box  and are C. 2008, with all rights reserved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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