Determine Priority of Patient Care and Transport , The golden hour, and History taking

What is the purpose of priority designation in patient care?

Priority designation is used to determine if a patient needs immediate transport or can tolerate a few more minutes on scene.

Which patients are considered high-priority and should be transported immediately?

Patients who are unresponsive, have a poor general impression, difficulty breathing, uncontrolled bleeding, are responsive but unable to follow commands, have severe chest pain, pale skin or other signs of poor perfusion, complicated childbirth, or severe pain in any area of the body.

What does the Golden Hour (or Golden Period) refer to?

The Golden Hour refers to the time from injury to definitive care, during which treatment of shock and traumatic injuries should occur because survival potential is highest.

What factors determine whether you stay on scene or transport immediately during the Golden Hour?

The patient’s condition, availability of more advanced help, transport distance, and local protocols.

When should transport be initiated according to the Golden Hour principle?

Transport should be initiated as soon as practical and possible.

What is the purpose of history taking in patient care?

History taking provides details about the patient’s chief complaint and an account of the patient’s signs and symptoms.

When can history taking be expanded?

If the patient is able to answer questions or a family member is transported with the patient, history taking can be expanded en route.

What information should be documented during history taking?

Date of the incident, patient’s age, gender, race, past medical history (including medical problems, traumatic injuries, and surgical procedures), and current health status (including diet, medications, drug use, living environment and hazards, physician visits, and family history).