Table 1 Outline of possible triage strategies during a pandemic or other emergency situation where resources are limited. Multiple task forces favor FCFS and traditional methods as the most ethical during a pandemic
From: Preparing intensive care for the next pandemic influenza
Method | Mechanism of medical triage | Prioritizing factor | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
Traditional | No formal mechanism of triage | No criteria | Many health care systems |
Barron Dominque-Jean Larry | Treatment of the most urgent (i.e., sickest) patients, and deferring less sick or likely fatal cases | Market pull factor | How current system works in most of the developed world |
Wilson | Concentrate treatment on the most likely to be successful. Some low probability cases will die that otherwise may have been saved | Likelihood of success | Pragmatic approach |
First-come, first-served (FCFS) | Treatment based on arrival/presentation regardless of severity of illness, rank, or any other criteria | Order of arrival | In part, how current system works in most of the world |
Greatest good for greatest number (GGGN) | Depriving severely ill patients needing large amount of resources and attention, for multiple patients that are less sick and require less resources | Number of patients treated for given resources | Utilitarian approach |
Less severity first treatment (LSFT) | Prioritize healthier patients that can be treated quickly to allow them to return to society, the labor force, etc. | Patients who are less sick | Many emergency departments have a fast track section |
Maximize the fighting strength | Treat patients who are most likely to quickly return to duty with the least resource expenditure | Time needed for treatment of patients | Prioritize HCWs, key public health or government jobs, etc. |