TRIAGE


Categories and Identification in Veterinary Triage

Group

Color

Type of Injuries

Priority 1 / Emergent

Red

Critical; may survive if simple lifesaving measures are applied.
Priority 2 / Urgent

Yellow

Likely to survive if simple care is given within hours.
Priority 3 / Nonurgent

Green

Minor injuries; care may be delayed while other patients receive treatment.
Priority 2 or 3

Blue

Catastrophic: Patients unlikely to survive or those who need extensive care within minutes.
None

Black

Dead or severely injured and not expected to survive.

Wayne E. Wingfield, MS, DVM.
Copyright © 1998 Colorado State University. All rights reserved.
Revised: November 13, 1998.