Diagnostic Precision of Triage Algorithms for Mass Casualty Incidents

The authors examined the sensitivity and specificity of six triage systems used to categorize 500 patients transported by air rescue. The triage systems which achieved the highest diagnostic quality were the Simple and Modified Triage and Rapid Treatment systems and the Amberg-Schwandorf Algorithm for Triage. The authors noted that over-triage by the newer Primary Ranking for Initial Orientation in Emergency Medical Services algorithm would likely overload available resources in a mass casualty incident and that non-surgical patients were not as well triaged by existing systems.