The Multi-Casualty Triage Sieve

The Multi-Casualty Triage Sieve is a rapid assessment tool used by emergency responders during mass casualty incidents (MCIs) to prioritise patients according to the severity of their injuries and their likelihood of survival. It enables clinicians to make quick, structured decisions when the number of casualties exceeds the available resources.

The primary aims of the Triage Sieve are to:

• Rapidly identify patients who require immediate life-saving intervention.
• Prioritise treatment and transport based on clinical urgency.
• Maximise the use of limited personnel, equipment, and medical resources.
• Ensure the greatest number of patients receive the greatest possible benefit.
• Facilitate efficient evacuation from the incident scene to appropriate healthcare facilities.

The Triage Sieve relies on a rapid assessment of mobility, airway, breathing, circulation, and conscious level to assign patients to one of four triage categories:

• Immediate (Red): Life-threatening injuries requiring urgent treatment.
• Delayed (Yellow): Serious injuries requiring treatment, but can safely tolerate a delay.
• Minor (Green): Walking wounded with minor injuries who require minimal medical intervention.
• Deceased/Expectant (Black): Patients who are deceased or have injuries considered incompatible with survival given the available resources.

The assessment is designed to be completed in less than one minute per patient, allowing responders to rapidly prioritise care and optimise outcomes during major incidents.

The Triage Sieve is available in our Emergency Paramedics Essentials Reference Card Bundle