What does START stand for in triage procedures?

START stands for Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment. It is a widely used triage system designed to streamline the process of categorizing patients during mass casualty incidents. The focus of START is to quickly assess a large number of victims to determine their treatment priorities based on the severity of their injuries.

In this method, patients are evaluated and tagged according to specific criteria related to their ability to walk, their respiratory status, hemodynamic status, and neurological status. This ensures that those who are most critically injured receive immediate care while others with less severe conditions can wait. The "simple" aspect of START refers to its user-friendly approach, allowing even non-medical personnel to effectively assess and prioritize patients swiftly. The term "rapid treatment" underscores the urgency of providing immediate care to maximize survival outcomes.

The other options do not accurately reflect the established terminology and principles of the START system. For example, "Structured Triage and Rapid Treatment" and "Systematic Triage and Rapid Assessment" emphasize more systematic processes that may not align with the straightforward nature of START, which prioritizes simplicity and speed over detailed evaluation methodologies.