Triage (ASAN001/4) Flashcards
What are the two main Triage Classifications?
- Good, Fair, Serious & Critical
- Minor, Moderate, Severe (non–life threatening) & Severe (life–threatening)
What are the characteristics of GOOD (Minor) triage classification? (4)
- All vital signs normal
- Minimal pain
- Still BAR
- Has conditions that require vet attention, but not immediately.
When should a patient with a GOOD (Minor) classification be seen? (1)
- Should be seen same day
What are some examples of patients with GOOD (Minor) classification? (2)
- Skin irritation
- Slight lameness (still toe–touching)
What are the characteristics of FAIR (Moderate) triage classification? (4)
- Slightly altered vitals (eg ↑ temp – not HS!)
- Still BAR
- Moderate pain
- Patient has some significant illness but only slightly altered clinical signs.
When should a patient with a FAIR (Moderate) classification be seen? (1)
- Vet attention within a few hours
What are some examples of patients with FAIR (Moderate) classification? (5)
- Cat fight abscess
- Minor wounds
- Minor burns / scalds
- Haematuria
- Occasional Vomiting
What are the characteristics of SERIOUS (Severe non life–threatening) triage classification? (2)
- Severe changes in vitals
- Life not in immediate danger
When should a patient with a SERIOUS (Severe non life-threatening) classification be seen? (3)
- Vet attention ASAP
- Take straight out the back
- Immediate first aid attention
What are some examples of patients with SERIOUS classification? (8)
- Conscious collapse, dull
- Dyspnoea
- Prolapsed eye
- Dystocia
- Large, gaping wounds
- Severe Dysuria
- Seizures
- Pale MM’s
What are the characteristics of CRITICAL (Severe Life–threatening) triage classification? (2)
- Life–threatening
- CPCR
When should a patient with a CRITICAL (Severe Life-threatening) classification be seen? (3)
- Immediate Vet attention
- Immediate first aid actions
- Straight out the back
What are some examples of patients with CRITICAL classification? (10)
- Unconscious
- Collapse w/ dypsnoea & blue/wht MM’s
- Severe haemorrhage (arterial, venous)
- Severe burns / scalds
- Poisionings
- Snake bite
- Thoracic wounds
- Acute abdomen
- GDV (may look ok but will crash!)
- Cat open mouth breathing
What are the main purposes of Telephone Triage? (4)
- VN to recognise & establish status of patient.
- Determine need for immediate veterinary attention.
- Advise owner of actions they can perform prior to arriving at clinic.
- Advise may be as basic as how to move the patient.
How do we Establish Patient Status over the phone? (5)
Determine:
- What is the nature of the injury / problem?
- Consciousness
- Breathing
- Haemorrhage
- Ability to ambulate
Examples of the nature of the injury? (3)
- Hit by car
- Dog attack
- Sudden collapse etc.
What questions to ask about Consciousness? (2)
- Is the patient conscious?
- Are they responsive to stimuli ie name calling, touch etc?
What questions to ask about Breathing? (5)
- Is the patient breathing?
- Normally?
- With effort?
- Rapidly?
- Slowly?
What questions to ask about Haemorrhage? (3)
- Is there any obvious haemorrhage?
- Where from?
- Give advice on suppression of haemorrhage as required.
What is the patient’s Ability to Ambulate? (1)
Can the patient walk?
What is Waiting Room Triage? (2)
- Each patient should be visually assessed as they arrive.
- Do this for all ‘unwell’ patients, not just trauma patients.
What to observe in a Visual Assessment of a patient? (5)
- Ability to ambulate
- Level of Consciousness (LOC)
- Demeanour
- Reaction to stimuli
Determine immediate action to be taken.
What to do if Cats present in carriers / boxes? (2)
- Open box & visually assess patient.
- Never rely on client’s interpretation of their pet’s status.
What questions to ask owners about Emergency Patient, while taking patient to receive immediate attention? (4)
Ask vital Q’s only:
- History of trauma
- Access to toxins
- how long patient has been in present state, etc.
When is it ok to NOT perform a full Patient Examination? (2)
If the patient presents as serious or critical
- First aid measures need to be started immediately.
Why are patient triage / exam forms important in emergency situations? (3)
- Record of patient presentation & initial Tx.
- Assist in further monitoring
- Can assess patient’s response to Tx.
What is important info that should be included on patient triage / exam forms aside from results of physical examination? (2)
- Time of examination.
- Name or initials of examiner.
