The Sacco Triage Method Maximizes the Lives Saved in Mass Casualty Incidents
The Sacco-Triage Method can Save Lives and take the Guesswork out of Triage
The Sacco Triage Method (STM), developed by Dr. Bill Sacco, is an evidence based and outcome driven triage and resource management system that maximizes the lives saved in multiple and mass casualty incidents (MCIs). Using a simple physiological score that predicts survival, patients are triaged based on expected outcome in consideration of the timing and availability of transport and treatment resources.
After learning STM's simple victim scoring method, emergency responders can immediately and accurately use it on all trauma victims. STM not only tracks expected versus actual outcomes for performance assessment, but responders use the same scoring system for MCIs for better preparedness and response. STM takes the guesswork out of triage.
STM Eliminates Inconsistencies and Chaos of Current Protocols A recent study, detailed in the August EMS Magazine article "Triage is Broken," involving 300 EMS providers across six regions in Pennsylvania has demonstrated chaos in triage. In a tabletop exercise, Emergency Responders were challenged to "tag" 45 victims, then determine the priority order for transport and treatment. The results are profound. Across 70 teams using START and similar sorting protocols, the number of red-tagged victims ranged from 4 to 44; yellows ranged from 1 to 20; greens from 0 to 29; and blacks from 0 to 17. The resulting priority order of transport and treatment was also frighteningly inconsistent - appearing as an almost random selection - with some victims selected first to be transported by some teams and last to be transported by others. Triage should not be based on "luck of the draw!"
---
About Think Sharp:
ThinkSharp's Management Team is comprised of industry leaders in the disciplines of education, the internet, and online learning. Learn more about the brains behind ThinkSharp.
