What is a key difference between triage under usual conditions and triage under mass casualty conditions?

In the context of triage, particularly during mass casualty incidents, the concept of expectant care is pivotal. Triage is a system that prioritizes patient treatment based on the severity of their condition and the resources available. Under usual conditions, triage often focuses on treating patients without overwhelming resource constraints, where the primary goal is to save individual lives efficiently. However, in mass casualty situations, the sheer volume of patients and the limited availability of medical resources may necessitate a different approach.

Expectant care refers to situations where patients who are not likely to survive given their injuries and the resources available are categorized in a way that allows medical teams to redirect care to those who have a better chance of survival. This is a stark contrast to traditional triage, where each patient's needs are typically assessed individually without such stark limitations. By incorporating expectant care, healthcare providers can manage the flow of treatment more effectively, prioritizing those most likely to benefit from immediate intervention. This adjustment is crucial during a mass casualty situation to maximize the overall survival rate, rather than focusing solely on individual cases.