What does triage mean Meaning and Definition
What does triage mean
Pronunciation
/ˈtraɪˌɛdʒ/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
The process of prioritizing and initializing treatment of patients or cases based on their medical urgency and severity, often used in emergency medical services, hospitals, and disaster relief efforts.
Etymology
The word “triage” originates from the French word “trier,” meaning “to sort” or “to sift,” and was first used in the medical context in the 1950s.
Usage Notes
In medical contexts, triage is often used to describe the initial evaluation and sorting of patients based on their condition. It is crucial in emergency situations where resources are limited and rapid decisions must be made.
Cultural References
Triaging has been featured in various movies, TV shows, and novels, often depicting the chaotic and stressful environment of emergency medical services and hospitals.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- triage the situation
- sort out the emergency
Related Words or Phrases
- Emergency
- Priority
- Critical
Collocations
- Emergency triage
- Medical triage
- Triage process
Frequency of Use
Triaging is a common practice in modern healthcare, and the term is widely used in medical literature and everyday conversation.
Common Misspellings
- Trige
- Triagee