accident prevention 29treatment han

General Lab Information

  • Students are welcome to take paper notes, but should be mindful of their setup (having something underneath when writing).

  • Clipboards are available in some drawers for note-taking convenience.

  • Skill sheets are included in the participants' manual for personal practice in lab settings.

Communication in Basic Life Support (BLS)

  • Types of Communication:

    • Verbal Communication: Involves spoken words and verbal messages.

    • Nonverbal Communication: Comprises gestures, facial expressions.

  • Example:

    • As an athletic trainer, assessing patients may rely heavily on nonverbal cues, such as apprehension on a patient's face during specific tests (e.g., anterior apprehension test for shoulder subluxation).

  • BLS Context:

    • Emphasizes limited nonverbal communication, as clear, direct instructions are necessary (e.g., telling someone to go get the AED).

    • The concept of closed-loop communication is critical.

      • Closed-Loop Communication: Ensures understanding; the receiver repeats back the message (e.g., confirming they will go get the AED).

Elements of Communication

  • Sender: Initiates communication (e.g., tapping and shouting for attention).

  • Message: The information that is conveyed (e.g., "Go get the AED").

  • Receiver: The person who gets the message and must repeat it back to ensure understanding.

  • Feedback: The confirmation that the message is understood, illustrated through the receiver's repetition of the instruction (e.g., "I have the AED").

Teamwork in Emergency Situations

  • Importance of Teamwork:

    • Effective communication is essential for positive patient outcomes and increases survival chances.

  • Roles and Responsibilities:

    • Team Leader: Assigns tasks and ensures clarity of roles.

      • Typically the first person to assess the situation, shouting and assessing the patient.

      • Provides clear, firm instructions (e.g., "Go call 911").

      • Communicates expectations effectively and prioritizes actions (e.g., if there is a pulse but not breathing, instructs on ventilations).

    • Team Members:

      • Carry out assigned roles (e.g., obtaining equipment, following the team leader's directions).

      • Should be observant and report any changes or issues (e.g., if AED pads are not sticking).

Task Prioritization in Emergency Situations

  • Assessing the Situation:

    • Continuous reassessment and adaptation of roles based on situational needs.

  • Communication Styles:

    • Emphasis on loud, clear instructions.

    • Importance of allowing team input (e.g., assessing if the patient is in a puddle before using the AED).

Key Components of Rapid Assessment

  • Recognizing Cardiac Arrest States:

    • When assessing a patient, first check for safety and initial impression.

    • Assess responsiveness (shout tap shout sequence).

    • Look for breathing and pulse for up to 10 seconds.

  • Signs to check for:

    • Responsive or unresponsive state.

    • Pulse assessment via carotid artery.

  • Life-Threatening Situations:

    • Focus on potential life-threatening bleeding and provide immediate care.

Opening the Airway Techniques

  • Head Tilt Chin Lift Technique:

    • Press down on forehead, lift chin for airway opening.

    • Used for most patient assessments.

  • Jaw Thrust Maneuver:

    • Used when a spinal injury is suspected.

    • Hands positioned on either side of patient's head, thrust jaw up without moving the head.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

  • Importance of wearing gloves in medical situations.

  • Instructions on how to properly remove gloves to avoid contamination.

Adult Basic Life Support (BLS)

  • Overview:

    • Basic Life Support has two main components: Compressions and Ventilations.

  • Performing Compressions:

    • 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths.

    • Compressions are to be 2 inches deep at a rate of 100-120 per minute.

    • Full recoil of the chest after each compression is critical to maintaining blood flow.

  • Signs of Ineffective CPR:

    • If compressions do not allow for complete chest recoil.

    • Avoid excessive ventilations as it can increase intrathoracic pressure.