What does a yellow tag signify in the triage system?

In the triage system, a yellow tag signifies that a patient requires delayed care. This categorization is used in emergency situations, particularly during mass casualty incidents, where healthcare providers must prioritize treatment based on the severity of injuries. Patients tagged with yellow are not in immediate danger but still have injuries that require medical attention.

These patients may have significant conditions that could deteriorate if not monitored, but they are stable enough to wait for treatment; they are not among the most critical cases requiring immediate intervention. This allows healthcare personnel to focus their resources on those needing urgent care, such as individuals who would receive an immediate care tag, while ensuring that delayed care patients receive attention as soon as possible.

In contrast, the other tags in the system convey different levels of urgency: a red tag is for those requiring immediate care, green denotes walking wounded who can self-transport, and black designates those who are deceased or not expected to survive. Understanding this distinction is crucial for effective disaster management and prioritization in medical emergencies.