tacSTART Triage-applicability for civilian and military emergency forces

Background: In mass casualty incidents (MCIs), there is often a disparity between treatment needs and available resources. Various triage systems are used in prehospital settings, including the tactical simple triage and rapid treatment (tacSTART) algorithm, specifically designed for threat situations. Objectives: The study investigated whether the tacSTART algorithm could be effectively utilized by civilian and military rescue personnel with no prior experience in triage algorithms. The World Economic Forum (WEF) 2020 provided an optimal setting for this investigation. Materials and methods: The study was conducted during the WEF in Davos and included nonmedical and medical personnel from civilian and military rescue services. Participants received an introduction to the tacSTART algorithm and conducted a total of 2000 triage assessments on simulated patients and patient cards. An online questionnaire was used for data collection, which was subsequently statistically analyzed. Results: The study results demonstrated that the tacSTART algorithm achieved a high level of concordance with accurate triage (91.7%). There were no significant differences between civilian and military rescue personnel. Participants' self-assessments and evaluations of the algorithm were positive. Conclusion: The study results support the effectiveness of the tacSTART algorithm as a tool for triage in MCI scenarios. The results underscore its applicability to various professional groups. The study contributes to expanding our understanding of triage algorithms in major disaster situations and improving patient care.