Which factor is NOT used in START triage?

In the START (Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment) triage system, the focus is on swiftly assessing a patient's condition during mass casualty incidents to prioritize treatment based on the severity of injuries. The key factors typically considered in START triage include respiratory rate, pulse presence, and capillary refill time, as these provide critical information about a patient's immediate physiological status.

Blood pressure is not considered one of the primary factors for START triage. While blood pressure can be an important indicator of a patient’s condition in a clinical setting, its measurement is more complex and time-consuming compared to the other factors used in the START system. This triage method is designed for rapid assessment, which is why it relies on simpler and quicker indicators such as respiratory rate (to ascertain airway functionality), pulse presence (to check for circulation), and capillary refill time (to evaluate perfusion).

Thus, the absence of blood pressure as a criterion in START triage reflects the need for efficiency and speed in emergency situations, allowing responders to quickly categorize patients based on immediate life threats rather than detailed physiological measurements that could delay crucial treatment decisions.