The goal of this class is to have the Student demonstrate a Patient Assessment & related skills in an effective manner

When you respond to an emergency, your actions should be guided by a standardized plan. This plan reminds you of what to do and when to do it. That ensures all necessary care is provided according to San Francisco local protocols

1. Is the scene safe?

• Use Body Substance Isolation techniques

• What are the dangers at the scene

• Is law enforcement required before care?

• Identify the mechanism of Injury

• how many victims are there?

• Is it necessary to move the victim to safety?

3. Conduct a Patient History

• SAMPLE
  (by asking and or observing)

• Signs & Symptoms

• Allergies

• Medicines (taking)

• Pertinent medical hx

• Last time eat /drink

• Events leading to...

5. On going Assessment
(repeat after 5 & 15 minutes for unstable / stable patients)

• Level of consciousness

• recheck initial interventions

• vital signs

• calm & reassure victim

6. Hand off report to EMS

• Report includes:

oral & written report of patients age, sex, chief compliant, LOC, ABC’s, vitals, DOTS findings, SAMPLE, treatment & interventions-reactions

2. Perform an Initial Assessment:

• Level of Consciousness (LOC)

• AVPU - victim responds to

• Alert (ask chief complaint)

• Verbal (opens eyes to your voice)

• Pain (run knuckles over sternum)

• Unresponsive (not conscious)

• Airway (check for 5 to 10 seconds)

• Breathing (position head)

• Circulation (check carotid pulse)

4. Physical Examination
(Inspect,, auscultate, palpate from head to toe the victim)

Apply DOTS checking for:

• Deformities

• Open wounds

• Tenderness

• Swelling

Vitals

• skins signs (hot or cold)

• respiration’s (noisy / rapid)

• pupils (reacts to light?)

• pulses (strong, weak, rapid)

• blood pressure