Process for If You Encounter an Unresponsive (According to the START Triage System)
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Process for If You Encounter an Unresponsive (According to the START Triage System)
1
Identify the unconscious person
2
Ensure safety of the scene
3
Call for medical assistance
4
Initiate Primary Assessment
5
Check for patient's responsiveness
6
Check patient's airway
7
Check patient's breathing pattern
8
Check patient's circulation
9
Provide appropriate interventions
10
Setup for Patient transport, if necessary
11
Handover patient to medical professionals
12
Report findings to Medical team
13
Ensure patient's stability
14
Cleanup and secure the scene
15
Record incident in official log
16
Approval: Incident summary
17
Notify family or friends, if required
18
Coordinate with social work team, if needed
19
Debrief after incident resolution
20
Prepare for next emergency situation
Identify the unconscious person
The first step in this process is to identify the unconscious person. This task is crucial as it allows you to quickly assess the severity of the situation and determine the appropriate course of action. The desired result of this task is to accurately identify the unconscious person. To do this, you can ask questions such as 'Are you okay?' and 'What is your name?'. If there is no response or the person is unable to provide their name, it indicates that they are unresponsive. This task requires good communication skills and the ability to assess the person's level of consciousness. In some cases, the person may be wearing a medical bracelet or identification that can help in their identification. The challenge in this task is to remain calm and focused while assessing the person's responsiveness. The required resource for this task is a pen and paper to record the person's name, if known, for documentation purposes.
Ensure safety of the scene
Ensuring the safety of the scene is an important task in this process. This task aims to create a safe environment for the unconscious person and the responders. The desired result is to minimize the risk of further harm to the patient and others. To achieve this, you need to assess the scene for potential hazards such as traffic, electrical wires, or dangerous substances. You may also need to move objects or people away from the scene to create space for medical assistance. The challenge in this task is identifying and mitigating potential risks quickly and efficiently. The required resources for this task include personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves and a mask, and a flashlight to assess the scene in low light conditions.
Call for medical assistance
Calling for medical assistance is a critical task in this process. The purpose of this task is to get professional help as soon as possible. The desired result is to have medical professionals on their way to the scene. To accomplish this task, you need to call emergency services and provide them with accurate information about the situation. You may be asked questions such as the location of the incident, the condition of the person, and any other relevant details. The challenge in this task is to remain calm and provide clear and concise information to the operator. The required resource for this task is a phone with a working connection to emergency services.
Initiate Primary Assessment
Initiating the primary assessment is a crucial task in this process. This task aims to gather essential information about the patient's condition. The desired result is to have a baseline understanding of the patient's vital signs and overall health status. To perform this assessment, you need to systematically check the patient's responsiveness, airway, breathing pattern, and circulation. This allows you to identify life-threatening conditions and provide appropriate interventions. The challenge in this task is to stay organized and efficient while assessing the patient's vital signs. The required resources for this task include a stopwatch to measure the patient's breathing rate and a penlight to examine the patient's pupils.
Check for patient's responsiveness
Checking for the patient's responsiveness is a critical task in this process. This task helps determine the patient's level of consciousness and responsiveness. The desired result is to identify whether the patient is conscious or unconscious. To perform this assessment, you can ask questions such as 'Can you hear me?' and 'Can you open your eyes?'. You can also gently shake the patient's shoulders to stimulate a response. If there is no response or only a minimal response, it indicates that the patient is unresponsive. The challenge in this task is to accurately assess the patient's responsiveness, especially in challenging situations or noisy environments. The required resource for this task is good communication skills and the ability to observe the patient's reactions.
Check patient's airway
Checking the patient's airway is a crucial task in this process. This task aims to ensure the patient has a clear and open airway for breathing. The desired result is to identify any obstructions in the patient's airway and take appropriate actions to clear them. To perform this assessment, you need to look for signs of airway obstruction, such as noisy breathing, choking, or gasping for air. You may also need to open the patient's mouth and check for any foreign objects or vomit that may be blocking the airway. The challenge in this task is to act quickly and confidently to remove any obstructions without causing further harm to the patient. The required resource for this task is gloves to protect yourself and a suction device, if available, to clear the airway.
Check patient's breathing pattern
Checking the patient's breathing pattern is a crucial task in this process. This task aims to assess the patient's breathing and identify any abnormalities or signs of distress. The desired result is to determine whether the patient is breathing adequately or not. To perform this assessment, you need to observe the patient's chest rise and fall, listen for any abnormal sounds, and check for the presence of a pulse. You may also need to measure the patient's breathing rate using a stopwatch. The challenge in this task is to accurately assess the patient's breathing pattern, especially in noisy or chaotic environments. The required resources for this task include a stopwatch and a stethoscope to listen for breath sounds.
Check patient's circulation
Checking the patient's circulation is a critical task in this process. This task aims to assess the patient's heart rate and blood circulation. The desired result is to identify any absence or irregularity in the patient's circulation. To perform this assessment, you need to check the patient's pulse at the carotid artery (neck) or the radial artery (wrist). You can also observe the patient's skin color and temperature for signs of poor circulation. The challenge in this task is to accurately assess the patient's circulation, especially in stressful situations. The required resource for this task is good palpation skills and the ability to measure the patient's pulse rate.
Provide appropriate interventions
Providing appropriate interventions is a crucial task in this process. This task aims to address any life-threatening conditions and stabilize the patient's condition. The desired result is to improve the patient's chances of survival and prevent further deterioration. Depending on the assessment findings, interventions may include performing CPR, administering medication, or applying pressure to control bleeding. The challenge in this task is to act quickly and decisively while considering the patient's individual needs and following established protocols. The required resources for this task include a CPR mask, bandages, and any necessary medications.
Setup for Patient transport, if necessary
Setting up for patient transport, if necessary, is an important task in this process. This task aims to prepare the patient for safe transportation to a medical facility. The desired result is to ensure the patient's stability during transportation. To accomplish this task, you need to immobilize the patient's spine, provide additional support, and secure any medical equipment or IV lines. The challenge in this task may vary depending on the patient's condition and the available resources. It is important to communicate with the medical professionals and follow their instructions for safe transportation. The required resources for this task include a spinal board, straps for immobilization, and additional medical equipment as needed.
1
Ambulance
2
Helicopter
3
Medical vehicle
4
Private car
5
Other
Handover patient to medical professionals
Handing over the patient to medical professionals is a crucial task in this process. This task aims to transfer care and responsibility to trained healthcare providers. The desired result is to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of care for the patient. To accomplish this task, you need to provide comprehensive information about the patient's condition, assessment findings, and interventions performed. You may also need to assist the medical professionals with transferring the patient to their care. The challenge in this task is to communicate effectively and provide accurate and concise information to ensure the best possible care for the patient. The required resource for this task is good communication skills and access to the patient's medical records, if available.
Report findings to Medical team
Reporting the findings to the medical team is an important task in this process. This task aims to provide an accurate and detailed account of the patient's condition and assessment findings. The desired result is to facilitate appropriate medical decision-making and planning. To accomplish this task, you need to prepare a concise and organized report that includes the patient's vital signs, assessment findings, and any interventions performed. You may also need to provide additional context or information as requested by the medical team. The challenge in this task is to communicate complex information in a clear and concise manner while ensuring accuracy. The required resource for this task is good documentation skills and access to the patient's medical records, if available.
Ensure patient's stability
Ensuring the patient's stability is a critical task in this process. This task aims to monitor and maintain the patient's vital signs and overall condition. The desired result is to prevent any further deterioration and provide appropriate support until the patient reaches a medical facility. To accomplish this task, you need to regularly assess the patient's vital signs, administer any necessary interventions, and monitor for any changes or complications. The challenge in this task is to stay vigilant and responsive to the patient's needs, especially during transportation or while awaiting medical assistance. The required resources for this task include a stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, and any necessary medications or equipment.
Cleanup and secure the scene
Cleaning up and securing the scene is an important task in this process. This task aims to restore order and safety to the surrounding area. The desired result is to minimize any potential hazards or risks for responders and bystanders. To accomplish this task, you need to remove any hazardous materials, properly dispose of medical waste, and secure any equipment or belongings left behind. The challenge in this task is to act efficiently while ensuring the safety of everyone involved. The required resources for this task include gloves, biohazard bags, and cleaning supplies.
Record incident in official log
Recording the incident in the official log is an important task in this process. This task aims to document the details of the incident for future reference and analysis. The desired result is to have a comprehensive and accurate record of the event. To accomplish this task, you need to record the date, time, location, and a brief description of the incident. You may also need to include any important observations or actions taken during the response. The challenge in this task is to capture all relevant information while maintaining confidentiality and adhering to data protection regulations. The required resource for this task is a logbook or electronic system for recording incidents.
Approval: Incident summary
Will be submitted for approval:
Report findings to Medical team
Will be submitted
Notify family or friends, if required
Notifying the patient's family or friends, if required, is an important task in this process. This task aims to provide emotional support and keep the patient's loved ones informed about the situation. The desired result is to convey the necessary information in a compassionate and empathetic manner. To accomplish this task, you need to identify the patient's emergency contact, gather relevant information about the patient's condition, and make contact with the designated person. You may also need to provide guidance or resources for further support. The challenge in this task is to balance the need for privacy and confidentiality with the patient's best interests and the family's needs. The required resource for this task is a phone with a working connection for making phone calls.
Coordinate with social work team, if needed
Coordinating with the social work team, if needed, is an important task in this process. This task aims to address any social or emotional needs of the patient and their family. The desired result is to provide appropriate resources and support during and after the incident. To accomplish this task, you need to communicate with the social work team and provide them with relevant information about the patient's situation. You may also need to facilitate communication between the patient, their family, and the social work team. The challenge in this task is to ensure effective collaboration and coordination of services to meet the patient's and their family's needs. The required resource for this task is good communication skills and access to the social work team's contact information.
Debrief after incident resolution
Debriefing after incident resolution is an important task in this process. This task aims to reflect on the response and identify areas for improvement. The desired result is to learn from the experience and enhance the effectiveness of future responses. To accomplish this task, you need to gather the response team and facilitate an open and honest discussion about the incident. This may include reviewing the actions taken, identifying any challenges or issues that arose, and discussing potential strategies for improvement. The challenge in this task is to create a safe and supportive environment for the team to share their perspectives and insights. The required resource for this task is a meeting space or conference room for the debriefing session.
Prepare for next emergency situation
Preparing for the next emergency situation is an important task in this process. This task aims to ensure readiness and resilience in the face of future emergencies. The desired result is to have a well-prepared and trained team, updated equipment and supplies, and established protocols and procedures. To accomplish this task, you need to assess the team's training needs, review and update response plans, and organize regular drills and exercises. You may also need to conduct equipment checks and ensure adequate supplies are available. The challenge in this task is to balance the need for preparedness with the ongoing demands of day-to-day operations. The required resource for this task is access to training resources, protocols, and equipment inventory.
