What principle guides prioritization in disaster nursing?

The principle that guides prioritization in disaster nursing is the principle of triage. Triage is a critical process in emergency situations that allows healthcare providers to quickly assess and categorize patients based on the severity of their conditions and the urgency of their medical needs. This is particularly important in disaster scenarios where resources are limited, and the number of casualties may overwhelm the available medical personnel and facilities.

In disaster nursing, triage ensures that those who need immediate medical attention receive it first, helping to maximize patient outcomes. Triage involves systematic evaluation to determine who can wait for care without compromising their health and who requires immediate intervention to survive. It enables healthcare professionals to make informed decisions rapidly and ethically during high-stress situations, ensuring that care is provided efficiently to those who need it most urgently. Planning, documentation, and communication are important components of overall disaster management, but they do not specifically guide the prioritization of patient care in the immediate context of disaster nursing as effectively as the principle of triage does.