Universal Patient
Care Protocol
- Scene Safety
- Bring all necessary equipment to patient's side
- Demonstrate Professionalism and Courtesy
- PPE (Consider Airborne or Droplet if indicated)
- Initial assessment
- BLS maneuvers
- Initiate Oxygen if indicated
Initial Assessment
- Airway Protocol (Adult or Pediatric)
- Pediatric Assessment Procedure
- Adult Assessment Procedure
- Consider Spinal Immobilization
- (< 12 years old or < 55 kg defines the pediatric patient)
- Vital Signs (temperature if appropriate
- Pulse Oximetry
- Consider supplemental Oxygen
- Consider Glucose Measurement
- Consider 12-Lead EKG
- Consider Cardiac Monitor
See Appropriate Protocol
- Patient does not fit a protocol
Pearls:
- Any patient contact which does not result in an EMS transport must have a completed waiver
- Recommended Exam: Minimal exam if not noted on the specific protocol is vital signs, mental status, GCS, and location of injury or complaint.
- Required vital signs on every patient include blood pressure, pulse, respirations, pain,/severity
- Pulse oximetry and temperature documentation is dependent on the specific complaint.
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A pediatric patient is defined by
- Timing of transport should be based on patient's clinical condition and the transport policy.
- Never hesitate to contact medical control for patient who refuses transport.
- Each patient should have at least one full set of vital signs taken manually and not obtained by the LP12 or LP15. Additionally there should be at least one set of vital signs recorded for every 15 minutes of patient contact time.
- Orthostatic vital signs procedure should be performed in situations where volume status is in question.
- Items in Red Text are key performance measures used to evaluate protocol compliance and care.