Lecture Clinical procedures for medical assisting (4/e): Chapter 12 – Booth, Whicker, Wyman

CHAPTER

12
Emergency
Preparedness and
First Aid
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12­2

Learning Outcomes
12.1 Discuss the importance of first aid during a
medical emergency.
12.2 Describe the purpose of the emergency
medical services (EMS) system and explain
how to contact it.
12.3 List items found on a crash cart or first-aid
tray.
12.4 List general guidelines to follow in
emergencies.
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12­3

Learning Outcomes (cont.)
12.5 Compare various degrees of burns and their
treatments.
12.6 Demonstrate how to help a choking victim.
12.7 Demonstrate cardiopulmonary resuscitation

(CPR).
12.8 Demonstrate four ways to control bleeding.
12.9 List the symptoms of heart attack, shock, and
stroke.
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12­4

Learning Outcomes (cont.)
12.10 Explain how to calm a patient who is under
extreme stress.
12.11 Discuss ways to educate patients about
ways to prevent and respond to
emergencies.
12.12 Describe your role in responding to natural
disasters and those caused by humans.

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12­5

Introduction
• Emergencies
– Acute illnesses
– Acute injuries

– Phone calls from
patients with urgent

problems
– Disasters

The medical assistant must be prepared to determine
the urgency of and handle any emergencies that
arise

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12­6

Understanding Medical Emergencies
• Any situation in which a person becomes
ill or sustains an injury requiring immediate
care
• Prompt action may prevent disability or
death
• Can occur within or outside the healthcare setting
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12­7

Understanding Medical Emergencies
• Quick response using
first aid is vital
• First aid can
–
–

–
–

Save a life
Reduce pain
Prevent further injury
Reduce risk of
permanent disability
– Increase the chance
of early recovery

• Patient education
– First aid
– Proper way to respond
in an emergency
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12­8

Apply Your Knowledge
Why is it important to perform first aid in a medical
emergency?
ANSWER: First aid can:
 Save a life
 Prevent further injury
 Reduce pain
 Reduce risk of permanent disability
 Increase the chance of early recovery

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12­9

Preparing the Office for Emergencies
•

Establish roles

•

Post emergency telephone numbers
–
–
–
–

•

EMS if different than 911 – Women’s shelter
Fire
– Rape hotline
Police
– Drug and alcohol
center
Poison control

Crash cart – rolling cart with emergency
supplies and equipment

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12­10

Preparing the Office (cont.)
•

Provide information to EMS
–
–
–
–
–
–

Your name and location
Nature of the emergency
Number of people needing help
Condition of the injured or ill patient(s)
Summary of the first aid already given
Directions to your location
Do not hang up until the dispatcher gives
you permission to do so.
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12­11

Preparing the Office (cont.)

• Emergency and first-aid
supplies
– Crash cart/tray
• Basic drugs, supplies, and
equipment for medical
emergencies
• First-aid kit for minor injuries
and ailments

– Must be routinely checked
and restocked

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12­12

Guidelines for Handling Emergencies
•

A medical emergency requires certain steps
– Medical assistant provides only first aid

•

Patient emergencies
– Assess the situation
– PPE
– Assess patient

•

Six steps to initial assessment
1. General impression
2. Level of responsiveness
3. Assess ABCs

4. Urgency of condition
5. Focused exam
6. Document
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12­13

Handling Emergencies (cont.)
• Telephone emergencies
– Triaging
• Classification of injuries according to severity,
urgency of treatment, and place for treatment
• Follow office protocols

– General guidelines
• Stay calm
• Reassure the patient
• Act confidently in an organized manner

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12­14

Handling Emergencies (cont.)
• Personal protection
– Take precautions to reduce chance of
exposure during an emergency
– Follow Standard Precautions
– Keep personal protective
equipment in first-aid kit
at home and work

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12­15

Handling Emergencies (cont.)
• Documentation
– Assessment
– Treatment given
– Patient response
– If patient transported, location
of facility
– Date, time
– Signature, credentials
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12­16

Apply Your Knowledge
What are the steps of the initial assessment of a
patient in an emergency?

Correct!
ANSWER: The steps of the initial assessment are:
1. Form a general impression of the patient
2. Determine the patient’s level of responsiveness
3. Assess ABCs
4. Determine the urgency of condition
5. Perform a focused exam (head to toe); vital signs; skin
color
6. Document findings/report to physician or EMT

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12­17

Accidental Injuries
• Injuries requiring emergency
treatment
–
–
–
–
–
–

Bites and stings

Burns
Choking
Ear and eye traumas
Falls and fractures
Head injuries

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12­18

Bites and Stings
• Animal bites
– Bruise, tear, or
puncture
– Cleanse wound, apply
ointment and dry,
sterile dressing

• Insect stings
– Remove stinger, if
present
– Wash area, apply ice

• Snake bites
– Poisonous bite will
need antivenin
– Immobilize and
position below heart

• Spider bites
– Refer patient to
physician
– Wash area, apply ice,
and keep below heart
level
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12­19

Burns
• Thermal
– Hot liquids, steam,
flame, etc.
– Water, wet cloth, or
blanket

• Chemical
– Remove chemical
– Wash with cool water
for 15 minutes
– Cover with dry, sterile
dressing

• Electrical
– Entry and exit sites
– Tissue damage along
current’s pathway

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12­20

Burns (cont.)
• Classifications of burns
– Severity determined by
•
•
•
•
•

Depth and extent of burn area
Source of burn
Age of patient
Body area burned
Other illness/injuries

– Categories
• Minor
• Moderate
• Major

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12­21

Burns (cont.)
• Classifications of
burns
– By depth
• Superficial
• Partial-thickness
• Full-thickness

– Estimation of
extent of a burn
using rule of
nines
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12­22

Choking
•

Foreign object or food blocks the
trachea or windpipe

•

Universal sign
– Hand up to throat with a fearful
look

Medical assistants should know first aid for

choking adult, child, or infant!

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12­23

Accidental Injuries (cont.)
• Ear trauma
– Lacerations, cuts
– Severed ear – wrap
ear and transport with
patient

• Eye trauma

• Falls
– Have patient examined
before moving
– Stabilize neck if injury
suspected
– Minor falls, notify the
physician; document

– Falls, blows to eye,
puncture, foreign
objects
– Care depends on
severity
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12­24

Fractures and Dislocations
• Fracture – break in
the bone

• Sprain – partial
tearing of ligaments

• Dislocation –
displacement of a
bone end from the
joint

• Strain – muscle injury
occurring from
overexertion
• Treatment
– Immobilize
– Ice
– Monitor patient

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12­25

Head Injuries

• Concussion – jarring injury of the brain
– Patient may lose consciousness, have temporary loss
of vision, pallor, listlessness, memory loss, or
vomiting

• Severe head injuries – contusions, fractures,
and intracranial bleeding
– May require immediate hospitalization and/or CPR

• Scalp hematoma and laceration – blood under
the skin or break in the skin
– Control swelling with ice
– Control bleeding with direct pressure
© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.