Introduction: Triage is the classification of patients, based on the severity of their condition. It is a continuous and dynamic process. Triage begins at the scene of an accident and it ends with the care of the patient. The procsess is implemented under, and on, different conditions. Triage nurse has an important role in a process . She first contacts the patients and makes a quick evaluation of their condition. Purpose: Our thesis presents triage systems and triage in the field (terrain). Through professional and scientific literature we will try to determine the role and importance of the nurse in the triage of patients in the field (terrain) at different circumstances. Methods: We used a qualitative analysis of empirical and theoretical articles, written in Slovenian and English language. The articles are about triage and triage systems in a relation to a nurse. English key words: triage, nurse, paramedics, mass disaster, emergency medical treatment. The time frame of the reviewed articles was from 2005 to 2017. We have reviewed 22 articles. Results: Triage begins with an emergency call. A nurse must take on the leading role in gaining all the important information of determining the priority of patients' treatments based on the severity of their condition. First level of triage in the SIEVE triage system, which is used in Slovenia – this is the primary triage. At this stage, we begin with the most urgent survival measures, such as relaxation of the respiratory tract, preventing major bleeding, setting up unconscious in a position of unconsciousness and when it comes to children, with 5 initial Spills (when using the jump start system). The second triage stage is a secondary triage (it is used in a SORT system). In the secondary triage, patients are sorted once again into triage categories, and then we can start performing medical help. Conclusion and reflection: A good patient triage is the most essential element in identifying the patient's risk in a mass disasters. It is important, that nurses who work in ER services are well prepared.
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