Triage- Part 2

In Singapore restructured hospitals, the triage system is Patient acuity Category ( PAC) scale as recommended by Ministry of Health  from 1st April 1999.

PAC triage system is one of the most advanced system which involves 4 categories. There are written standards or protocols for the triage process include initiation of diagnostic test e.g. ECG, selection of treatment and re evaluation of patients.

PAC Scale

PAC Scale 1:

Patients are either already in a state of cardiovascular collapse or in imminent danger of collapse and would therefore be required to be attended to without a moment's delay.

They require maximum allocation of staff and equipment resources for initial management


PAC Scale 2:

Patients are ill, non ambulant, and in various forms of severe distress. They are in stable state on cardiovascular examination and are not in danger of imminent collapse. The severity of their symptoms required very early attention, failing which early deterioration of their medical condition is likely.


PAC Scale 3:

Patients are ambulant and have acute mild to moderate symptoms. Acute treatment will result in resolution of their symptoms over time.


PAC Scale 4:

There are non emergency patients who should more approriately be  managed in the primary health care setting. They do not require immediate treatment and there is no immediate threat to life or limb.

Patient acuity status is determined after triage assessment using the principles of SOAP. SOAP principles of triage will be discussed in further details in next post.


There are other triage models which are used in disaster situations which is  START(Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment) triage flow model. (*supported with ads*)