triage - the preliminary assessment of patients or casualties in order to determine the urgency of their need for treatment and the nature of treatment required.

 triage

/ˈtriːɑːʒ/

noun

1. the preliminary assessment of patients or casualties in order to determine the urgency of their need for treatment and the nature of treatment required.

   "the clinic will be dedicated to the triage and treatment of patients with respiratory illnesses"

verb

1. conduct a preliminary assessment of (patients or casualties) in order to determine the urgency of their need for treatment and the nature of treatment required.

   "victims were triaged by paramedics before being transported to hospitals"