misc

EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES

Scene Size-Up (Always Before Touching Patient)

Sequential Steps

BSI / PPE

Scene safety

MOI / NOI (Mechanism or Nature of Illness)

Number of patients

Need additional resources?

Consider C-spine (significant MOI)

General impression: "Sick or not sick?"

⚠ Trap: Starting assessment or treatment before confirming scene safety or number of patients

Unstable Patient Priorities

Immediate Actions

✅ Correct immediate actions:

Oxygen

BVM ventilations

OPA / NPA

Supraglottic airway

Suction

Needle decompression

Tourniquet

Defibrillation / cardioversion

IV/IO fluids for shock

Rapid transport

Delay These in Unstable Patients

🚫 Do NOT delay transport for:

History

Full secondary exam

Splinting and bandaging (beyond hemorrhage control)

12-lead ECG

Pain meds

"Nice to have" IVs

"Rule: Unstable = fix the thing killing them, then move."

Stable Patient Priorities

Once Patient is Confirmed Stable

Full vital signs

SpO₂

Blood glucose

12-lead ECG (if indicated)

IV access

Focused history (SAMPLE / OPQRST)

Focused physical exam

Medications

Reassessment and transport decision

"Rule: Stable = they earned time for diagnostics and meds."

Needle Decompression Indicators

Absent unilateral breath sounds

Hypotension

(Likely tension pneumothorax)

Radio Communication

"Press → pause → then talk" for radio communication

Short, clear messages

Use plain language (No 10 Codes)

Confirm critical info

ICS Roles (Common on Tests)

Triage Unit Leader → sorts patients

Treatment Unit → treats patients

Transport Officer → assigns units & hospitals

MCI / START Triage

Triage Categories

GREEN: Ambulatory (can walk)

RED: Breathing after reposition OR RR > 30 OR no radial pulse/delayed cap refill OR unable to follow commands

BLACK: Dead/not breathing after reposition OR Cardiac arrest at any point in MCI