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Triage Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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triage

[triหหˆษ‘หส’ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

medical assessment

Triage is a process used in medical settings to determine the priority of patients' treatments based on the severity of their condition. It allows medical professionals to allocate resources effectively, especially in emergency situations where there may be limited availability of personnel and equipment. The goal of triage is to ensure that those who need immediate care receive it as quickly as possible while providing appropriate care to all patients based on urgency. Triage is often used in disaster response scenarios, battlefield situations, and during public health emergencies.

Synonyms

assessment, classification, prioritization.

Examples of usage

  • The triage nurse assessed the patients in the waiting room.
  • In a natural disaster, triage is essential for timely medical intervention.
  • The emergency room staff conducted triage before admitting patients.
  • Triage protocols help prioritize care for the most critical cases.
Context #2 | Verb

to assess urgency

To triage means to assess and prioritize the level of urgency of patients or tasks. In a medical context, it involves evaluating each patient's condition to decide the order in which they should be treated based on the severity of their symptoms. The term can also apply to non-medical contexts, such as project management, where tasks are prioritized based on their importance and deadlines. Effective triaging can lead to better resource management and improved outcomes in various fields.

Synonyms

evaluate, prioritize, sort.

Examples of usage

  • The team will triage the tasks based on their deadlines.
  • First responders must triage patients at the scene of an accident.
  • Management decided to triage project proposals to focus on the most viable.
  • We need to triage our workload to meet upcoming deadlines.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Medicine

  • In emergency rooms, patients are categorized based on the severity of their condition to ensure that those who need immediate care receive it first.
  • Triage can be applied in various healthcare settings, including disasters, where doctors prioritize who receives treatment based on urgency.
  • The common system includes categories: immediate, delayed, and minor injuries, ultimately aiding in saving lives.

Disaster Management

  • The triage system is crucial during natural disasters where many victims may need care at once.
  • It helps first responders allocate their efforts and resources efficiently in chaotic situations.
  • Choosing who to help first can significantly influence survival rates following catastrophic events.

Psychology

  • Triage can also refer to prioritizing tasks in mental health support, determining which issues need attention first for effective therapy.
  • This prioritization may alleviate feelings of being overwhelmed and help individuals manage their issues.
  • By effectively sorting priorities, individuals can make progress in a meaningful way rather than becoming stuck.

Pop Culture

  • Movies and TV shows often depict triage in medical emergencies, highlighting the urgency of first responders.
  • In popular video games, players sometimes need to perform triage-like decisions under pressure to save characters or complete missions.
  • The concept resonates in narratives about survival, emphasizing the swift decision-making process in life or death situations.

Origin of 'triage'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the French verb 'trier', meaning 'to sort'.
  • It first entered English medical vocabulary in the 19th century, specifically in relation to battlefield medicine.
  • The concept of sorting patients became crucial during wars and major disasters to effectively allocate limited resources.

The word 'triage' originates from the French word 'trier', which means 'to sort' or 'to sift'. It was first used in the context of battlefield medicine during the early 19th century when surgeons needed to quickly assess injured soldiers and allocate medical resources effectively. The term was adopted into English in the late 19th century and has since expanded to encompass various fields beyond medicine, including emergency management and project management. The concept of triage plays a crucial role in scenarios where time and resources are limited, highlighting its importance across multiple disciplines.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,837, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.