Prehospital Triage by Lay Person First Responders: A Scoping Review and Proposal for a new Prehospital Triage Tool

Abstract

Objective: The primary aim of this study is to review the available tools for prehospital triage in case of mass casualty incidents and secondly, to develop a tool which enables lay person first responders (LPFRs) to perform triage and start basic life support in mass casualty incidents. Methods: In July 2019, online databases were consulted. Studies addressing prehospital triage methods for lay people were analyzed. Secondly, a new prehospital triage tool for LPFRs was developed. Therefore, a search for prehospital triage models available in literature was conducted and triage actions were extracted. Results: The search resulted in 6188 articles, and after screening, a scoping review of 4 articles was conducted. All articles stated that there is great potential to provide accurate prehospital triage by people with no healthcare experience. Based on these findings, and combined with the pre-existing prehospital triage tools, we developed a, not-yet validated, prehospital triage tool for lay people, which may improve disaster awareness and preparedness and might positively contribute to community resilience. Conclusion: The prehospital triage tool for lay person first responders may be useful and may help professional medical first responders to determine faster, which casualties most urgently need help in a mass casualty incident.

Advancing the scientific study of prehospital mass casualty response through a Translational Science process: the T1 scoping literature review stage

“…Results of the MCI Triage scoping review determined that recording the mechanism of injury from the initial assessment and as more details emerge over the continuum of care is important for the definitive treatment team [19, 21, 23-26, 29-37, 39, 41-45]. This includes obtaining information not only from EMS staff but also non-medical bystanders who rendered first aid or assisted EMS [28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35], reinforcing the concept that gathering relevant observations from bystanders could support the MCI response efforts, in compliance with the NIGHTINGALE objectives. Information supporting the continuum of care involving the initial and subsequent assessments of vital signs should determine treatment and evacuation prioritization, considering the use of cardiac monitors and pulse oximetry when available.…”

Reanimação Cardiopulmonar Para a População Em Geral

“…Neste bojo, o papel do leigo na triagem pré-hospitalar em um acidente com vítimas em massa é crucial, na ajuda em primeiros socorros, identificando frequentemente quem se encontra em condição mais grave e necessita de ajuda urgente, auxiliando inclusos, quando bem treinados, para uma possível redução de mortalidade. Para tanto, orientações por parte da equipe competente são prementes (JETTEN et al, 2021).…”