At what MCI level does START triage become enacted?

START triage, which stands for Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment, is a system used to prioritize patients in a mass casualty incident (MCI) based on the severity of their injuries and the immediacy of their need for medical care. It is designed to be implemented in situations with a high volume of patients and limited resources, where quick decisions are necessary to save lives.

The activation of START triage specifically occurs at MCI Level 3. This level indicates a significant influx of patients requiring medical attention that exceeds the capacity of normal emergency services, necessitating the systematic approach of prioritizing care. At this level, responders are trained to assess multiple patients quickly, categorizing them into groups based on their condition—such as those who require immediate care, those who can wait, and those who are unlikely to survive given the current resources.

Understanding this system is critical for healthcare professionals working in emergency and critical care settings, as it allows for optimal resource allocation and potentially increases survival rates in crowded scenarios.