West Coast EMT Block One Exam

As a triage supervisor, when should you start treatment on patients?

1. Immediately after they arrive.

2. After all patients have been triaged.

3. Once initial assessments are complete.

4. Prior to transporting any patient.

The correct answer is: After all patients have been triaged.

In a triage situation, the primary objective is to efficiently assess and categorize patients based on the severity of their conditions and the urgency of their needs. The correct approach to starting treatment is after all patients have been triaged. This method ensures that resources are allocated effectively and that the most critical cases are identified and given priority for treatment. Starting treatment immediately after patients arrive could lead to delays in care for those who need it most, as assessments would not have been completed. If treatment begins only after initial assessments are complete, there may still be an unmet need for prioritization across all patients. Prioritizing triage first allows the triage supervisor to understand the full scope of the situation before initiating care, ensuring that those in dire need receive attention first, thus optimizing patient outcomes during an emergency.