START

START is used to categorize a patient’s priority status before moving them to the triage area. The initial assessment to categorize a patient by color is done by using ARPM and should not exceed 30 seconds.

S	Simple
T	Triage
A	And
R	Rapid
T	Transport

A	Ambulate Ability to walk: Green
R	Respirations Respirations are greater than 30: Red Respirations are shallow or inadequate and require positive pressure ventilation (PPV): Red No respiratory effort and airway is open: Black Respirations are less than 30: Move on to perfusion
P	Perfusion Capillary refill is greater than 2 seconds or no radial pulse: Red Capillary refill is less than 2 seconds and a radial pulse is present: Move on to mental status
M	Mental status Obeys commands: Yellow Does not obey commands or is unresponsive: Red

Color Categories

Red: Immediate care and transport required (Priority 1).

Yellow: Delayed care and transport (Priority 2).

Green: Only minor injuries (Priority 3).

Black: Deceased or fatal injuries (Priority 4).

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START

Color Categories

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