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Copyright ©2010 Baishideng Publishing Group Co.
World J Orthop. Nov 18, 2010; 1(1): 10-19
Published online Nov 18, 2010. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v1.i1.10
Table 2 Commonly accepted triage coding categories
PriorityNeed for treatmentColor codeCharacteristics
1ImmediateRedLife-threatening shock or hypoxia is present or imminent, but the patient can be likely stabilized and will probably survive if given immediate care
2UrgentYellowInjuries have systemic effects or implications, but the patient is not yet in life-threatening shock or hypoxia. Despite the chance that systemic decline may ensue, this group can likely withstand a 45- to 60-min wait without immediate risk. Patient likely to survive if given appropriate care
3Non-urgentGreenLocalized injuries without immediate systemic implications. With minimal care, these patients are unlikely to deteriorate for several h (or not at all)
4ExpectantBlackMost severely injured patients who have poor chance for survival regardless of care rendered. No distinction is made between clinical and biological death. In multiple casualty incidents, any patient who is unresponsive or who has no spontaneous ventilation or circulation is classified as dead