What is a significant role of the disaster nurse in a mass casualty event?

In a mass casualty event, one of the most critical roles of a disaster nurse is to assess and prioritize care based on severity. This process is known as triage. Given the overwhelming number of patients and limited resources, it is essential for nurses to quickly evaluate the conditions of multiple individuals and determine who needs immediate medical attention versus those who can wait for care.

This triage process ensures that those with the most urgent medical needs receive treatment first, thus maximizing the chances of survival and optimal outcomes in chaotic and time-sensitive situations. The disaster nurse must be capable of making rapid decisions and is often trained to use established triage systems, such as the START (Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment) method, to efficiently categorize patients.

Other roles, while important in the broader context of healthcare delivery, do not directly pertain to the immediate hands-on care required in a mass casualty situation. For instance, conducting patient follow-ups is essential in ongoing patient care but is not a priority during a mass casualty incident where immediate lifesaving interventions are critical.