Conducting Rapid and Thorough Assessments of Patients in Emergency Situations

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Saad Abduallah Mubarak Al Dafian, Abdulaziz Mohammed Abdulaziz Al Tamimi, Bader Ali Mahdi Al Mansour, Abdulelah Abdulaziz Abdullah Al Askar, Abdullah Abdulrahman Hamad Al-Tami, Faisal Muhammad Hamad Al-Tamimi, Khalid Mubarak Abdulrahman Alsarhan

Abstract

Patients with medical emergencies need rapid assessment of their condition and need for treatment. After finding such a patient, especially if on your own as one responder, thorough and rapid assessments must still be performed while calling for help. Here are outlines of procedures to follow primary and secondary assessments in a thorough but efficient manner considering challenges facing one responder.


Time-critical immediate life threats should be assessed and treated as a priority. On finding a patient, a quick scene assessment of safety and mechanism of injury must be undertaken. Next, the primary survey should be performed. This consists of a rapid, head-to-toe assessment for conscious state, airway and airway adjuncts, breathing and oxygen therapy if needed, circulation, and treatment for any significant injuries found (A Colbeck et al., 2018). A sample history should also be taken during this time if possible, asking the patient about symptoms, allergies, medications, past medical history, and when they last ate or drank.


Once key life threats have been managed, a thorough secondary survey can be undertaken if time allows, or left for the paramedics if the patient is stable. This consists of a full head-to-toe examination and taking a full history of the event and patient if possible. Aspects to consider for a one-responder scenario will be covered (Phillips et al., 2020).

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