Patient Assessment Emergency Action Steps ‘EAS’

Patient Assessment

Patient Assessment Process

• Scene size-up • Initial assessment • Identify and treat life threats • Ongoing assessment • Check • Call • Care 2

Patient Assessment EMERGENCY ACTION STEPS •

Check

the scene, then the victim •

Call

9-1-1 or the local emergency number •

Care

for the victim 3

Patient Assessment APPLYING THE EMERGENCY ACTION STEPS •

CHECK

the Scene • Is the scene safe to approach?

• What happened?

• How many victims are there?

• Are bystanders present to help?

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Patient Assessment • APPLYING THE EMERGENCY ACTION STEPS

CHECK

the Victim • Which victims were checked for life-threatening conditions?

• Which victims were checked for non-life threatening conditions?

• Why were all victims not checked for non-life threatening conditions?

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Patient Assessment WHEN CHECKING A CONSCIOUS VICTIM, ASK – • What happened?

• Do you feel pain anywhere?

• Do you have any allergies?

• Do you have any medical conditions or are you taking any medications?

• Have you had anything to eat or drink?

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Patient Assessment • APPLYING THE EMERGENCY ACTION STEPS

CALL 9-1-1

• When did someone call?

• What information should the caller be prepared to give?

• What could you do to ensure that 9-1-1 has been called? What if you are not sure?

• Where else might the caller find a phone?

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Patient Assessment CONDITIONS THAT ARE IMMEDIATELY LIFE THREATENING • Unconsciousness • Not breathing • No heartbeat (or signs of circulation) • Severe bleeding 8

Patient Assessment APPLYING THE EMERGENCY ACTION STEPS •

CARE

• What care was provided?

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Patient Assessment

Body Substance Isolation

• Assumes all body fluids present a possible risk for infection • Protective equipment • Latex or vinyl gloves should always be worn • Eye protection • Mask • Gown 10

Patient Assessment

Scene Safety Potential Hazards

• Oncoming traffic • Unstable surfaces • Leaking gasoline • Downed electrical lines • Potential for violence • Fire or smoke • Hazardous materials • Other dangers at crash or rescue scenes • Crime scenes 11

Patient Assessment

Scene Safety

• Park in a safe area • The safety of you comes first!

• Next concern is the safety of patient(s) and bystanders.

• Request additional resources if needed to make scene safe.

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Patient Assessment

Mechanism of Injury

• What happened?

• Helps determine the possible extent of injuries on trauma patients • Evaluate: • Amount of force applied to body • Area of the body involved 13

Patient Assessment

Motor Vehicle Crashes

• Amount of force related to speed • Injuries can be predicted by: • Position in the car • Use of seat belts • How the body shifts during the crash 14

Patient Assessment

Falls

• Amount of force related to height of fall • Note surface that patient landed on • Attempt to determine how patient landed 15

Patient Assessment

Gunshot and Stab Wounds

• Gunshot wounds • Force is related to caliber of weapon and distance from gun to the patient • Stab wounds • Injury can be estimated by looking at the entrance and length of the weapon 16

Patient Assessment

Nature of Illness

• Search for clues to determine the nature of illness.

• Often described by the patient’s chief complaint • Gather information from the patient and people on scene. • Observe the scene.

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Patient Assessment

Number of Patients

• Determine the number of patients and their condition.

• Assess what additional resources will be needed.

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