Priority class | Trauma or finding |
---|
A (red) | Airway obstruction (e.g. severe facial trauma) |
Chest trauma with respiratory distress |
Unconscious patient with airway problems even in the recovery position; patients who lose consciousness during treatment (epidural bleed) |
Inhalation injury and facial burns |
Skin burns 20-75% |
Massive external bleeding |
Hypovolaemic shock |
Multiple trauma patients (mere suspicion is not enough) |
Extensive open fractures |
Eviscerations (prolapses or internal organs) |
B (yellow) | Chest trauma without respiratory problems |
Abdominal and/or urinary tract trauma |
Unconscious patients (except Class A priority group patients) |
Large bone fractures and open fractures other than those in Class I |
Unstable pelvic fracture |
Patients with angina pain |
Injury to spine or spinal cord or suspicion of such trauma |
Eye injuries |
C (green) | Cranial/cerebral traumas (GCS 14- 15/15 = speaking contact or bleeding from the ear in a conscious patient) |
Simple fractures and bruises |
Burns other than those of Class A |
Slight facial trauma (jaw/nose fractures etc.) |
Usually almost all walking patients |
D (violet) | Open brain injury with herniated brain tissue |
Burns > 75% of total body area |
Other patients with poor prognosis |
X (black) | Dead |