The initial evaluation process where patients arriving at the emergency department are sorted into red, yellow, and green areas according to life threat and examined in priority order.
Indication
- Sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, or altered consciousness
- Pain, bleeding, or restricted movement after trauma
- High fever, severe headache, or neurological symptoms
- Acute digestive symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Suspected allergic reaction, poisoning, or animal bite
- Seizure, refusal to feed, or weakness in children
- Bleeding, contractions, or decreased fetal movement during pregnancy
Preparation
- Identification document and health insurance information when available
- List of regularly used medications or their boxes
- Bringing previous test results, imaging, and discharge reports
- Information on known chronic illnesses and allergies
How it's performed
- The triage nurse measures vital signs (pulse, blood pressure, temperature, oxygen)
- Based on complaints and medical history, the patient is directed to the red (emergent), yellow (priority), or green (ambulatory) area
- Red area patients receive immediate intervention; yellow area patients are observed and tested; green area patients are seen in order
- Following physician examination, necessary tests (blood, urine, ECG, imaging) are ordered
- Treatment is initiated based on diagnosis; admission, discharge, or referral to another department is decided
Post-procedure
- The follow-up date and time after discharge is given by the physician
- Regular use of prescribed medications and adherence to recommendations is required
- If symptoms worsen, return to the emergency department immediately
- If admission is decided, treatment continues in the relevant clinic
Risks
- Wait times in the green area may be extended during heavy admissions
- Symptoms or hidden conditions may rarely be missed at first evaluation
- Diagnosis may not be clear at the initial visit; further testing or observation may be required
- Possible allergic reactions or side effects during testing
FAQ
Why am I waiting so long if I'm coded green at triage?
Triage prioritizes life-threatening conditions; red and yellow area patients receive priority care. Green-coded patients are evaluated in order because they do not have an immediate life threat.
Should I call the emergency number before coming to the ER?
Call emergency services for life-threatening situations such as loss of consciousness, severe trauma, heavy bleeding, or chest pain; first aid can be provided during transport.
Are emergency services charged?
Patients with public health coverage may pay a small contribution for green area visits; no extra charges apply for red and yellow area emergencies.
When should I bring my child to the ER?
Bring your child immediately for high fever, seizure, breathing difficulty, severe vomiting/diarrhea, serious falls, or altered consciousness.
Related Information
Related Medical Services
Other services in the same specialty or with similar indications you may want to explore.
Chest Pain Evaluation
Emergency Health Services
Chest pain evaluation — differential diagnosis of heart attack, aortic dissection, and pulmonary embolism.
Allergic reaction / anaphylaxis treatment
Emergency Health Services
Anaphylaxis treatment — life-saving emergency response with intramuscular epinephrine.
Intubation and Airway Management
Emergency Health Services
Intubation and airway management — securing the airway with rapid sequence intubation in respiratory failure.
Acute abdominal pain evaluation
Emergency Health Services
Acute abdominal pain evaluation — differential diagnosis of peritonitis, appendicitis, and aortic aneurysm.
Trauma Care
Emergency Health Services
Trauma care — systematic management of multiple injuries using the ABCDE algorithm.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Emergency Health Services
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) — restoring circulation and breathing after cardiac arrest.
Wound care and suturing
Emergency Health Services
Wound care and suturing — cleansing and surgical closure of cuts, lacerations and traumatic wounds.
Fracture and Dislocation First Aid
Emergency Health Services
Initial management of fractures and dislocations — stabilization and emergency care for limb injuries.