Emergency Examination and Field Triage

Platinum 10-minutes

The target time frame for emergency stabilization and preparation for transport.

Golden Hour

The critical window for a trauma patient to reach definitive care.

Scene Survey Questions

Is it safe? MOI/NOI? PPE needed? # of athletes? C-spine needed? EMS needed?

C-Spine Rule

Suspect a spinal cord injury in all traumatic injuries until proven otherwise.

AVPU Scale

Alert, Response to verbal command, Response to pain, Unresponsive.

GCS Components

Patient eye response, verbal response, and motor response.

Rapid Trauma Assessment Target Time

Less than 90 seconds.

Vital Signs Reassessment Frequency (Stable)

Every 15 minutes.

Vital Signs Reassessment Frequency (Unstable)

Every 5 minutes until transport.

Normal Capillary Refill Time

Less than 2 seconds.

Positive Capillary Refill Test Meaning

Indicates hypoperfusion, shock, peripheral vascular injury, severe dehydration, hypothermia, or vasoconstriction.

START Triage

Simple Triage And Rapid Treatment; gold standard for field triage of multiple casualties.

START Triage Step 1

All patients that can walk, get up & go to a designated area.

START Triage RPM Criteria

Respirations (under 30 bpm), Perfusion (cap refill under 2s), Mental status (can obey commands).

SAMPLE History

Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Previous medical history, Last oral intake, Events leading to injury.

OPQRST Pain Assessment

Onset, Provocation, Quality, Radiation, Severity, Timing.

SBAR Hand-Off

Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation.