The objective of this study was to determine providers' opinions of SALT Triage after receiving training and using it during a simulated mass-casualty incident.

A survey was conducted of trainees in a disaster course. Trainees were given a-30 minute lecture on SALT (sort, assess, life-saving interventions, treatment and/or transport) Triage and then used it during a drill. After the drill, trainees were asked to complete the survey. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Thirty trainees (11 medical doctors (MDs), six registered nurses (RNs), eight emergency medical technicians (EMTs), one RN/EMTs, four other) participated in the course. Of these participants, 67% had prior drill experience (mean: 10 drills) and 37% had prior mass-casualty incident experience (mean: four experiences). Prior to the drill: 7% reported that they felt very confident using SALT Triage, 33% were confident, 30% were somewhat confident, and 30% were not confident. After the drill: none reported not feeling confident using SALT Triage, 27% were at the same level of confidence, 73% felt more confident, and none felt less confident. Before the drill: 52% of respondents felt SALT Triage was easier to use than their current disaster triage protocol, 44% felt it was similar, and 4% felt it was more difficult. After the drill: 67% did not change how easy they felt SALT Triage was to use, 26% thought it was easier to use, and 3% thought it was similar.

Providers felt confident using SALT triage after a 30-minute training session and found it was similar or easier to use than their current triage protocol. Using SALT Triage during a drill improved confidence.