RPM-30-2-Can Do is a mnemonic device for the criteria used in the START triage system, which is used to sort patients into categories at a mass casualty incident.[1] [2] [3] The mnemonic is pronounced "R, P, M, thirty, two, can do."
Using the START system,
GREEN (MINOR) patients are easily identified by their ability to walk to a designated treatment area when told to do so immediately after the first responders' arrival.[4]Deceased patients are easily identified by apnea with no return of spontaneous respirations when their airway is repositioned. These patients are triaged BLACK (EXPECTANT/DECEASED).[4]
"RPM-30-2-Can do" helps responders differentiate between the other two triage categories:
YELLOW (DELAYED) and RED (IMMEDIATE). "30, 2, Can Do" stands for the criteria that delineate these two categories:To be triaged
YELLOW (DELAYED) , the patient must meet all of these criteria:| R | 30 | Respiratory rate is under 30 per minute. | |
| P | 2 | Perfusion is adequate, indicated by capillary refill under 2 seconds. | |
| M | Can Do | Mental status is adequate, indicated by the patient's ability to follow simple commands (the patient can do what they are asked) |
If any one of these criteria are not met, the patient is triaged
RED (IMMEDIATE).An alternative version of this mnemonic is RPM-30-2-Can Do-15-45. The "15-45" at the end refers to the different respiratory criteria in the pediatric JumpSTART triage system, due to the differences between children's and adults' normal respiratory rates.[5]
In pediatric patients:
The remainder of the criteria are the same as those specified in the adult acronym, except that an apneic child is given five assisted ventilations before being triaged Black. A child who starts breathing on their own after five ventilations is triaged
RED; a child without spontaneous return of respirations is triaged BLACK.[5]