TRIAGE

[magnum]

Not sure if this has ever been posted before... but if it has i was not able to find it and was wondering:

Wanted to see how people perform initial triage on patients when the pull up to a scene or in general. i.e. different styles, different questions, different methods of taking vitals, different procedures, etc... Yes this is a very basic and generic post but i think it could help many of the newer members and newer EMT's out there... As I am both: a new member of this board as well as a new EMT too.

Thanks in advance to all that participate.

Mag

[whit72]

1. Scene safety should be your first responsibility. Above all.

Depending on your CC:

When you ask them a question: Act like you care what the answer is, don't be fiddling around with equipment or writing down meds, My partner and I will switch off on calls. She will be focused completely on the pt. interview, history, assessment, vitals, initial tx, etc. While I am looking for medications, assessing the scene for possible contributing factors, getting a general big picture of what is going on. I believe this works better then two people asking different questions, interrupting the pt., not allowing them to fully answer the questions you have asked. Remember it is a conversation, not an interrogation.

When we have both finished, after treatment is rendered there if needed. We will prepare for moving the pt. whether it be stair chair, long board, whatever

When we have the pt. securely in the ambulance we will re asses everything that was assessed in the home. Noting changes both positive and negative.

We will then treat again if need be.

As a new EMT please don't rely on machines for your assessment. Manual BP, asses lung sounds. Learn to use the greatest tool you have at your disposal your head. Don't rely on machines to do the job for you. If you do someday those machines wont be available to you and you might be up the creek.

The person who was focusing on the pt in the house is the one who rides to the hospital, they have built a rap ore with that pt and they can continue that to the hospital.

Of course this is only an example. Things change. If it is a double shooting, or a three car flip on the highway, you wont have the benefit of doing some of the things stated above.

You will be fine. You will find your own way of assessing pts, and scenes, etc. The only way that happens is doing calls.

Hope this helped.

[Ace844]

"Mag,"

If you had actually used the search function appropriately; you would have found the following threads....

http://www.emtcity.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4801

http://www.emtcity.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3057

http://www.emtcity.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1536

http://www.emtcity.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=842

http://www.emtcity.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2581

http://www.emtcity.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3539

http://www.emtcity.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3134

http://www.emtcity.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3093

http://www.emtcity.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3256

Also read the scenarios in the 'Scenarios section' here for an idea of different P/E&H&P styles; You could have accomplished this using the following terms just like I did...Assessment, MCI, Mass Casualty Incident, START TRIAGE, Triage, and various combinations there of....

Hope this helps,

ACE844

[akflightmedic]

Whats a rap ore?

Just kidding, I had to call out that one...gave me a chuckle....I know you meant rapport.

[whit72]

Yeah that did look a little funny when I posted it.

Thanks

Whit