What process involves sorting patients according to the urgency of their need for care?

The process of sorting patients according to the urgency of their need for care is known as triage. This method is crucial in emergency situations where multiple patients require attention simultaneously. Triage allows healthcare providers to prioritize treatment based on the severity of each patient's condition, ensuring that those who are in critical need receive medical attention first.

In triage, patients are assessed quickly to determine the level of urgency. This is often implemented in scenarios such as mass casualty incidents or when emergency departments are overwhelmed. Effective triage can save lives by directing resources and healthcare staff to where they are needed most urgently.

While assessment, evacuation, and stabilization are also related to patient care in emergencies, they describe different processes. Assessment refers to evaluating a patient's condition without the prioritization involved in triage. Evacuation is focused on the movement of patients from a dangerous location to safety, and stabilization is about providing immediate care to fix life-threatening conditions, which often follows the triage process.