Patient triage is the process of prioritizing patients based on the severity of their condition in order to allocate resources and provide appropriate care in a timely manner. This process typically involves assessing the patient's symptoms, vital signs, and medical history to determine the level of urgency for treatment. Triage is commonly used in emergency departments, disaster response situations, and other medical settings where the demand for care exceeds available resources. The goal of patient triage is to ensure that those with the most critical needs receive care first, while also efficiently managing the flow of patients through the healthcare system.