Acuity Receipts
Triage the patient. Tear off category receipts, until only the half
of triage color reflecting the patient’s acuity level is exposed.
Dispose of lower-category receipts. Retain the other half of
the determined category receipt for a patient count and level
of need. For example, if the patient is triaged as “immediate,”
remove all the green and yellow receipts plus one of the
red receipts, leaving one of the red receipts showing. This is
a very important step in accurate triage and patient count.
These receipts can also be placed with the initial responding
agency’s EMS report.
Patient information
Fill in all information as time permits. This is the portion that
is placed with the patient via the string loop. Demographic,
assessment, and treatment information can all be documented
here. Most information on this portion be filled in during the
treatment phase.
Transportation Receipt
If time permits this can be filled out to be used by the
transportation coordinator as a record of patients transported
and their destination.
Ambulance Receipt
This should be given to the transporting ambulance to ensure
the patient is transported to the appropriate destination. This
portion is included with the transporting agency’s EMS report.
Patient Wristband
This portion will stay with the tag until the patient arrives at the
hospital. The wristband will be placed on the patient once the
tag is removed.
The triage tag is rarely used, which means we must train
with it often. With an increase in events of elevated risk, San
Bernardino County Fire is looking to be a frontrunner in our
adaptation to new response models and equipment. Stay
tuned for some major enhancements to our response to
these types of situations. Our equipment will be evolving and
changing to adapt to the protection needs for our communities
we serve. But, also remember that the basic element in an
organized response is the appropriately used triage tag.
ORGANIZATION WHEN IT’S NEEDED MOST
TRAUMA TRIAGE TAGS
Winter 2016 • FIREWIRE
41