Be Prepared

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We are often given warning of the impending arrival of high acuity patients by pre-hospital teams.

So how do you approach this vital and often short period of time ?

You need to get prepared and remember the 7 P’s of preparation:

Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance

The following gives you a structured approach to preparing not only for the arrival of a patient but also other EM encounters e.g. preparation for transport or for a procedure.

  •  AREA – Where does the patient need to be ?
    • Resus bay
    • Rest of ED workload
    • Non-ED areas e.g theatre, cardiac lab
    • ? Need to liaise with other hospital
  • STAFF – Who do you need ?
    • ED Staff
      • Medical
      • Nursing
      • PCA’s / Porter
      • Clerical
    • Allied Health
      • Radiographer
      • CT tech
      • Sonographer
      • Laboratory / Blood bank
      • Other area staff e.g theatre, cardiac lab
    • In-Patient Teams
      • Trauma / General Surgeons
      • Orthopaedic Surgeons
      • Anaesthetics / Critical Care
      • Others e.g. obstetrics, paediatrics
  •  EQUIPMENT – What do you need ?
    • Airway Equipment – Adjuncts to Advanced
    • Circulatory Support – iv access, iv fluids, IO access, rapid infuser
    • Procedural Equipment e.g chest drains, bedside ultrasound, c-spine collar, pelvic binder
    • PPE – Personnal Protective Equipment – e.g Gloves, Googles, Apron
  • DRUGS – What & how much do you need ?
    • Paediatric dose calculations – estimate weight & calculate, ? Broselow tape
    • Resuscitation drugs e.g adrenaline, atropine
    • Analgesia
    • Sedation +/- Induction Agents
  •  ADDITION INFORMATION – Where else can you found stuff out ?
    • From paramedic crew / Other emergency services
    • Old Notes
    • Command Tier in Disasters