17- Trouma & ER Refrence 2 + ِATLS Flashcards
How is medical professionalism defined by the Royal College of Physicians?
It is defined as “a set of values, behaviors, and relationships that underpins the trust the public has in doctors”
What is situational awareness?
It is the ability to perceive and respond to changes in one’s environment, involving detection, diagnosis, and prediction
Can you provide an example of situational awareness in a surgical setting?
A patient undergoing a carotid endarterectomy shows signs of neurological deterioration upon clamping, which must be recognized and communicated to the surgeon for appropriate action
What is decision-making in medicine?
It is the process of choosing a course of action from available options, balancing risks using new information and past experiences
Is decision-making a dynamic process?
Yes, continual re-evaluation is necessary to assess the outcomes of previous decisions
Does good situational awareness guarantee good decision-making?
No, although it is linked, good situational awareness does not guarantee good decision-making
What are the four principles of ethical decision-making in medicine?
Autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice
What does autonomy mean in the context of medical ethics?
It refers to an individual’s right to self-determination, and doctors must respect this by providing information for informed decision-making
What does beneficence mean in the context of medical ethics?
It describes actions carried out for the benefit of others, serving the best interests of patients at all times
What does non-maleficence mean in the context of medical ethics?
It means “first do no harm,” patients should not be exposed to risks of harm without clear benefit
What does justice mean in the context of medical ethics?
It refers to fairness and equality of treatment and access, including the allocation of scarce resources
What is the concept of “double effect”?
It describes how an intervention can have both intended and unintended consequences, where an action with two opposite outcomes is morally justifiable if the intention is to achieve the good effect
Can you provide an example of a clash of ethical principles in medicine?
A patient who is bleeding but refuses a blood transfusion due to religious beliefs, creating a conflict between autonomy and beneficence
Should a patient’s autonomy be respected even if it conflicts with beneficence?
Yes, if the patient is mentally competent, their wishes should be respected to maintain autonomy and avoid deterring similar patients from seeking medical attention in the future
What does task management entail?
It involves planning and prioritization to carry out work efficiently and effectively using available resources
Is the ability to deal with stress and fatigue considered a non-technical skill?
No, it is not considered a discrete non-technical skill, but it influences each of the four domains
What percentage of medical litigation is related to poor communication?
70%
What are some reasons for initiating litigation in medical cases?
To correct deficient standards of care, find out what happened and why, enforce accountability, and gain compensation for costs of care
What are some basic communication skills that healthcare professionals should be aware of?
Appropriate use of open, focused, and closed questions, avoiding leading and multiple questions, overcoming responses such as denial and blocking, and using empathic statements
What are some communication problems in critically ill surgical patients?
Background obstacles to communication, such as patient illness and fear, busy staff, lack of concentration, operational fatigue, irritability, tension, confusion, distress, tearfulness, and high expectations
What are some specific communication strategies for the critical care setting?
Provide explanations at each stage of care, explain the role of equipment, discuss upcoming interventions, and clarify the overall management plan. Use aids to orientation, such as readable clocks and name badges. Address acute confusional states through assessment rather than immediate sedation. Repeat questions and explanations, go back over the history, offer repeated explanations to reduce fear, and use check-backs to ensure understanding
How can aids to orientation be helpful in managing confusion in critical care patients?
Photographs of loved ones and easy-to-read name badges can help patients with organic confusion maintain orientation
Why is it necessary to repeat questions and explanations in communication with critically ill patients?
Patients may have difficulty recalling information from a single communication episode, so repeating questions and explanations ensures understanding
What is the three-stage assessment process for addressing acute confusional states?
It is a process used to identify and address the underlying causes of delirium before resorting to sedative-type medications