Chapter 44 - Medical emergencies and first aid. After completing Chapter 44, you will be able to: Discuss the importance of first aid during a medical emergency, describe the purpose of the emergency medical services (EMS) system and explain how to contact it, list items found on a crash cart or first-aid tray, list general guidelines to follow in emergencies,...
PowerPoint® to accompany Medical Assisting Chapter 44 Second Edition Ramutkowski Booth Pugh Thompson Whicker Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc Permission required for reproduction or display Medical Emergencies and First Aid Objectives 441 Discuss the importance of first aid during a medical emergency 442 Describe the purpose of the emergency medical services (EMS) system and explain how to contact it 443 List items found on a crash cart or firstaid tray 444 List general guidelines to follow in emergencies Medical Emergencies and First Aid Objectives (cont.) 445 Compare various degrees of burns and their treatments 446 Demonstrate how to help a choking victim 447 Demonstrate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) 448 Demonstrate four ways to control bleeding. Medical Emergencies and First Aid Objectives (cont.) 449 List the symptoms of heart attack, shock, and stroke 4410 Explain how to calm a patient who is under extreme stress 4411 Describe your role in responding to natural disasters and those caused by humans. Introduction Emergencies of all types occur when you are working as a medical assistant You may have to handle a phone call from a patient who has an urgent physical or psychological problem You must be prepared to determine the urgency and handle any emergency that arises Understanding Medical Emergencies You may see lifethreatening medical emergencies in the health care setting First aid can: Save a life Reduce pain Prevent further injury Reduce risk of permanent disability Preparing for Emergencies Post emergency telephone numbers near crash cart and near all phones Crash cart is a rolling cart of emergency supplies and equipment Provide information to EMS Your name and location Nature of the emergency Condition of the injured patient Summary of the first aid you have given Do not hang up until the dispatcher gives you permission to do so Common Emergency and First Aid Supplies Crash cart Basic drugs Supplies Equipment Restock the crash cart regularly. Make sure all supplies are uptodate Guidelines for Handling Emergencies Medical emergency requires you to take certain steps Note the presence of serious condition that threaten the patient’s life, assess the situation and and if appropriate put on PPE Do six steps of initial assessment General impression Level of responsiveness Assess ABCs Determine priority of patient’s condition Focus exam and history Telephone Emergencies Triaging – classification of injuries according to severity, urgency of treatment and place for treatment Follow physician's protocols Stay calm Reassure the patient Act confidently in an organized manner 10 Heart Attack Myocardial Infarction (MI) Symptoms: Blocked blood flow to the heart Crushing, burning, heavy aching pain or feeling like indigestion Pain may radiate down the left arm, into the jaw, throat, or both shoulders Shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, and vomiting Pale and have a feeling of doom 29 CPR Objective provide ventilation and blood circulation for a patient who shows none Correctly performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can save a life An automated external defibrillator (AED) may be used Respiratory arrest – lack of breathing Start CPR and call EMS (911) 30 Shock Shock is lifethreatening associated with failure of the cardiovascular system Symptoms: Restlessness Irritability Increased respiration Fear Rapid pulse rate 31 Shock (cont.) Treatment Elevate the feet 8 to 12 inches if no head injury is suspected Monitor ABCs Control bleeding Call EMS (911) 32 Stroke Stroke or cerebrovascular accident (CVA) occurs when the blood supply to the brain is impaired Symptoms: Headache Confusion Dizziness Loss of consciousness Paralysis of one side of the body Slurred or garbled speech 33 Stroke (cont.) Impairment may cause temporary or permanent damage, notify the physician at once Call EMS (911) Maintain patient’s airway by turning the head toward the affected side to allow secretions to drain out Loosen tight clothing Monitor vital signs Administer oxygen 34 Common Psychosocial Emergencies Alcohol, spousal, child, and elder abuse Overdose on drugs Violent behavior Suicide Rape – follow protocol for chain of custody of specimen Use community resources 35 The Patient Under Stress You must realize that people react differently to emergency situations Keep victims and family calm Promote calmness by listening carefully 36 Educating the Patient Encourage patients and families to learn first aid and CPR Provide firstaid kit check list Know how to access EMS and list emergency numbers by the phone Childproof homes Provide appropriate easytoread handouts 37 Disasters You must be familiar with standard protocols for responding to disasters You may have to participate in fire or other disaster drills to familiarize yourself with emergency procedures Triage – each victim gets a tag to classify the person as emergent (needing immediate care), urgent (needing care within several hours) and nonurgent (needing care when time is not critical) or dead 38 Bioterrorism Intentional release of a biologic agent with the intent to harm individuals Physician’s offices are the front lines should a biological agent be released The local public health department should be notified if bioterrorism is suspected as cause of illness Follow state and national guidelines 39 Apply Your Knowledge A patient arrives at the office with a headache, some confusion, and garbled speech. What should you do and why? 40 Apply Your Knowledge Answer A patient arrives at the office with a headache, some confusion, and garbled speech. What should you do and why? The patient may be having a stroke, you should call EMS (911), maintain patient’s airway by turning the head toward the affected side to allow secretions to drain out, loosen tight clothing, monitor vital signs and administer oxygen 41 Summary Medical Assistant You can make a positive difference in the health and lives of people who face medical emergencies to which you respond You will need to stay calm and communicate clearly during emergencies 42 End of Chapter 43 .. .Medical Emergencies and First Aid Objectives 44 1 Discuss the importance of first aid during a medical emergency 44 2 Describe the purpose of the emergency medical services (EMS) system and explain how to contact ... 44 8 Demonstrate four ways to control bleeding. Medical Emergencies and First Aid Objectives (cont.) 44 9 List the symptoms of heart attack, shock, and stroke 44 10 Explain how to calm a patient who is under extreme stress 44 11... Objectives (cont.) 44 5 Compare various degrees of burns and their treatments 44 6 Demonstrate how to help a choking victim 44 7 Demonstrate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) 44 8 Demonstrate four ways to control bleeding.