What is the purpose of triage in health care?

The purpose of triage in health care is to prioritize treatment based on the urgency of patients' conditions. In a healthcare setting, especially during emergencies or high-demand situations, triage allows medical professionals to quickly assess the severity of each patient's situation. This process ensures that those who require immediate medical attention, such as patients with life-threatening conditions, receive it without delay, while others with less urgent needs wait. This approach optimizes the use of resources, ensuring that the most critical cases are addressed first, which ultimately can save lives and improve overall patient outcomes.

While immediate treatment, patient satisfaction, and efficient appointment scheduling are important aspects of health care, they are not the primary focus of triage. Triage is specifically about determining the order of treatment based on how serious a patient's condition is, ensuring that the most pressing needs are met first.