BLS PCS Flashcards
FTT Standard- physiological criteria
- Pt does not follow commands
- Systolic blood pressure <90mmHg
- RR <10 or ≥ 30 breaths or need for ventilatory support (<20 in infants aged <1 year)
FTT Standard- If they meet any of the physiological criteria, do you go to the trauma hospital? What other criteria needs to be met?
Only if the transport time to the LTH is <30 minutes
FTT Standard- anatomical criteria
- Penetrating injuries to head, neck, torso, and extremities proximal to elbow or knee
- Chest wall instability or deformity
- Two or more proximal long-bone fractures
- Crushed, de-gloved, mangled or pulseless extremities
- Amputation proximal to wrist or ankle
- Pelvic fractures
- Open or depressed skull fracture
- Paralysis
FTT Standard- If patient meets anatomical criteria, do you go to the trauma hospital? What other criteria do they need to meet?
Only if the transport time is <30 minutes.
FTT Standard- If you cannot secure patient’s airway or survival is unlikely, where do you bring them?
To the closest hospital
FTT Standard- If the patient has penetrating trauma to head, neck, or torso, what criteria do they have to meet in order to be taken to an LTH.
- VSA with no TOR
- LTH is <30 mins away
FTT Standard- What are some MOI’s that can be considerations for a trauma center?
Falls
- Adult ≥6 meters (one story = 3 meters)
- Children (<15 years): falls ≥ 3 meters or 2 to 3 times the height of the child
High Risk Auto Crash
- Intrusion ≥ 0.3 meters occupant site; ≥ 0.5 meters any site, including the roof
- Ejection (partial or complete) from automobile
- Death in the same passanger compartment
- Vehicle telemetry data consistent with high risk injury (if available)
Pedestrian or bicyclist thrown, run over, or struck with significant impact (≥ 30 km/hr) by an automobile
Motorcyle crash ≥ 30 km/hr
FTT Standard- If pt meets MOI criteria, do we take them to a trauma center? What do we consider?
Has to be < 30 min transport to LTH and make sure you assess the need for the patient to go there!
FTT Standard- special criteria
Age
- Risk of injury/death increases after age 55
- SBP <110 may represent shock after age 65
- Anticoagulation and bleeding disorders
- Burns
- With trauma mechanism: triage to LTH
- Pregnancy ≥ 20 weeks
FTT Standard- If pt meets special criteria, do we take them to a trauma center? What do we consider?
Has to be < 30 min transport to LTH and make sure you assess the need for the patient to go there!
SMR Standard- MOI’s
- Any trauma associated with complaints of neck or back pain
- Sports accidents (impaction, fall)
- Diving incidents and submersion injuries
- Explosions, other types of forceful acceleration/deceleration injuries
- Falls (e.g., stairs)
- Pedestrian struck
- Electrocution
- Lightning strikes
- Penetrating trauma to head, neck or torso
SMR Standard- Risk criteria
- Neck or back pain
- Spine tenderness
- Neuro signs and symptoms
- Altered LOC
- Suspected drug or alcohol intoxication
- A distracting painful injury
- Anatomic deformity of the spine
- High energy MOI such as:
- Fall from greater than 3 feet/ 5 stairs
- Axial load to the head (e.g., diving accidents)
- High speed motor vehicle collisions (≥ 100 km/hr),
rollover, ejection - Hit by a bus or large truck
- Motorized/ATV recreational vehicles collision
- Bicyclist struck or collision
- Age ≥ 65 years old including falls from standing height
SMR Standard- If patient meets MOI but no risk criteria, SMR or no?
NO SMR
SMR Standard- If patient meets risk criteria, do we apply SMR?
YES!
SMR Standard- If pt has penetrating trauma to head, neck or torso, determine if they exhibit all of the following criteria:
- No spine tenderness
- No neuro signs and symptoms
- No altered LOC
- No evidence of intoxication
- No distracting painful injury
- No anatomic deformity of spine
SMR Standard- If they have a penetrating injury to head, neck or torso, but they meet all of the criteria, do we apply SMR?
NO SMR
SMR Standard- When do we keep the board/scoop?
If the paramedic deems it is safer/more comfortable for the patient in consideration of short transport times (<30 mins)
SMR Standard- Patients involved in MVC who have isolated neck or back pain and no neurological signs and symptoms or indications of major trauma, how do we extricate?
Stand, turn and. pivot onto stretcher, coach patient to maintain neutral spinal alignment.
CP Standard- Potential life/limb//function threats?
- ACS/Acute MI (STEMI)
- Dissecting thoracic aorta
- Pneumothorax, tension pneumothorax/other respiratory disorders (e.g., pneumonia)
- Pulmonary embolism
- Pericarditis
CP Standard- What do we assess for in our secondary survery?
- Subcutaneous emphysema
- Accessory muscle use
- Urticaria
- Indrawing
- Shape
- Symmetry
- Tenderness
- Decreased air entry and adventitious sounds (wheezes and crackles) through auscultation
- Abdomen as per standard
- Neck for tracheal deviation and JVD
- Extremities for leg/ankle edema
STEMI Protocol- Indications
- ≥ 18 years old
- Experience chest pain or equivalent consistent with cardiac ischemia or myocardial infarction
- The time from onset of the current episode of pain < 12 hours
- The 12 lead indicates an acute MI/STEMI as follows:
- At least 2mm of elevation in leads V1-V3
- At least 1mm of elevation in at least two other anatomically contiguous leads
- 12 lead ECG computer says STEMI and paramedic agrees
STEMI Protocol- Contraindications
- CTAS 1 and no secure airway
- 12 lead ECG is consistent with LBBB, ventricular paced rhythm or other STEMI mimickers
- Transport to a PCI is ≥ 60 minutes from patient contact
- The patient requires PCP diversion:
- Moderate to severe respiratory distress
or use of CPAP - Hemodynamic instability or symptomatic SBP <90 mmHg at any point
- VSA without ROSC
- Moderate to severe respiratory distress
- The patient requires ACP diversion
- Ventilation inadequate despite assistance
- Hemodynamic instability unresponsive to
ACP treatment or not amendable to ACP
management - VSA without ROSC
STEMI Protocol- If patient does not meet guidelines, attempt to determine?
If the interventional cardiology program at the PCI center will still permit transport.
STEMI Protocol- Provide the PCI the following information:
- Pt. is STEMI positive
- Pt’s initials
- Pt’s age and sex
- Paramedics concerns regarding clinical stability
- Infarct territory and/or findings on the qualifying ECG
- ETA
- Catchment area of patient pickup
STEMI Protocol- Upon arrival what should you tell the staff at the PCI center:
- Time of symptom onset
- Time of ROSC, if applicable
- Hemodynamic status
- Medications given and procedures
- History of acute MI/PCI/Coronary artery bypass graft, if applicable
- A copy of ECG
- A copy of ACR
STEMI Protocol- Once STEMI is confirmed what do you do?
Apply defib pads due to potential for lethal cardiac rhythms.
STEMI Protocol- If IV access is indicated and established as per the ALS PCS, what arm is preffered?
The left arm is the preferred site for IV.
CVA Standard- Stroke mimickers?
- Drug ingestion (e.g., cocaine)
- Hypoglycemia
- Severe HTN
- CNS infection (e.g., meningitis)
CVA Standard- What are we assessing for in our secondary survey?
- Facial symmetry
- Pupillary size, equality, and reactivity
- Abnormal speech
- Presence of stiff neck
- Abnormal motor function (e.g., grip strength, arm/leg drift)
- Sensory loss
- Incontinence of urine/stool
CVA- What should you do for the limbs?
Ensure extra support for patients body and limbs during patient movement and place extra padding and support beneath affected limbs.
CVA Standard- Potential problems?
- possible airway obstruction (if loss of tongue control, gag reflex)
- decreasing LOC
- seizures
- agitation, confusion, or combativeness
CVA Standard- What values do we want for our ETCO2?
35-45mmHg
CVA Standard- What should we do if signs of cerebral herniation syndrome are present after measures to address hypoxemia and hypotension?
Hyperventilate the patient to maintain ETCO2 values between 30-35mmHg
CVA Standard- Signs and symptoms of cerebral herniation syndrome?
A deteriorating GCS <9 with any of the following:
- Dilated and unreactive pupils
- Asymmetric pupillary response
- A motor response that shows either unilateral or bilateral decorticate or decerebrate posturing
CVA Standard- How many breaths per minute do you hyperventilate when the patient has signs of cerebral herniation syndrome?
Adult- approx. 20 bpm
Child- approx. 25 bpm
Infant- approx. 30 bpm