Abstract: A computer based system for rapid triage of multiple patients in a hospital emergency department setting that allows flexibility in the order of entry of data. The system includes overlapping pathways for evaluating and assigning a criticality or triage level to a patient's condition based on the medical professional's observations about the patient's condition, the patient's age, the patient's vital signs, and a series of scripted questions and observations contained in an algorithm that is selected based on the patient's chief complaint. The system employs special triage algorithms for children. The computer interface provides waiting area and detailed patient information reports to an emergency department physician that are constantly updated with real time information on the criticality of each patient in the emergency department. The system also provides a permanent record of the triage process for each patient.