What is the primary goal of action 2 sorting during an MCI?

The primary goal of action 2 sorting during a mass casualty incident (MCI) is to identify non-ambulatory patients who can follow commands or make purposeful movement. This sorting process is essential because it helps differentiate those patients who may need immediate attention from those who can either walk or assist themselves.

In an MCI, resources are often limited, and it is crucial to prioritize care for patients based on the severity of their conditions. Non-ambulatory patients who can respond to commands or demonstrate purposeful movements typically indicate a level of cognitive responsiveness, allowing for more efficient triage. This facilitates the effective allocation of emergency medical services to those who require more urgent care and helps ensure that the most critical patients receive timely assistance.

Identifying ambulatory patients is important, but it is not the primary focus during action 2 sorting. Determining the cause of injuries, while valuable, is not the immediate priority in a chaotic environment where rapid assessments are necessary. Providing immediate treatment for all patients is unrealistic in a mass casualty situation; instead, the emphasis is on triaging and addressing those in greatest need.