Patient Assessment
Patient assessment is the process an EMT or paramedic follows to evaluate an injured or ill patient. The process includes a scene size-up, which is the identification and mitigation of risks, a primary assessment to find and fix life threats and a secondary assessment to perform a focused history and physical exam of the patient. Each step is an opportunity to collect information that will guide treatment and inform a transport decision. In the EMS1 Patient Assessment topic find the latest news about patient assessment and top resources to improve your patient assessment skills.
By debunking human trafficking myths, EMS providers can assist the victims they encounter in their own communities
EMS clinicians are in a unique position to provide proactive education to patients as the only subset of clinicians that enter their homes
Harris County ESD11 Mobile Healthcare developed 10 commandments to set initial expectations while onboarding 200 paramedics
We asked EMS1 readers to share their knowledge of stroke and capability to assess and treat this common medical condition
The television host and physician rushed to help a woman when she collapsed during a promotional event at a Fla. mall
Spinal immobilization is based on exam findings and patient complaints, not the mechanism of injury
The role and authority of a safety officer is to observe and intervene when they see unacceptable risk to the patient or caregivers
The patient is a year younger than my mother was when she lost her ability to function; this time, everything is going right
A recently certified EMT came upon the crash, and immediately began care for two paramedics and a patient who were injured
2 paramedics were inside treating a patient with shortness of breath when a single bullet hit the ambulance
Sgt. James Brown died while in custody for a two-day DWI sentence; autopsy result cited natural causes by sickle cell crisis.
He is in stable condition after being punched by a patient, falling backward and hitting his head
Stroke assessment and interventions are time-critical and lifesaving
With heavy- and binge-drinking on the rise, EMS providers can go beyond basic protocols to help connect patient behavior to consequences
Focusing completely on the child makes pediatric assessment more effective and diminishes the chaotic nature of the scene
Test your knowledge of shock types and treatments
Prove your understanding of the predictable signs and symptoms of shock with this quiz for EMTs and paramedics
Learn about pediatric lung diseases that present with asthma-like symptoms to EMS providers
The family of a 27-year-old who died from positional asphyxia when secured in a prone position received a settlement from a lawsuit; 5 EMTs involved in the incident were suspended
4 intoxicated patient assessment reminders for EMS providers
The federal agency had approved the product — brand name Palcohol — for sale last spring but rescinded the approval saying it had been made in error
The crew was attacked by the patient first and later the patient’s sister
Use this method to identify landmarks as an alternative to the sternal notch placement of electrodes for acquiring a 12-lead ECG
You responded to a firefighter with eye pain and blurred vision; did you get the treatment steps right?
You are asked to respond to the rehab area at a working structure fire
In the real world it is impossible for a scene to be 100% safe; therefore we must constantly assess risk
Carmel Fire Department is first in state to purchase ‘exciting technology’
The Podmedic highlights three of his favorite products from EMS Today 2015
They filed a complaint with Rural/Metro, saying EMT got angry when asked to transport a man to the hospital and sat in the ambulance until his partner brought him back into the home
Jon Puryear presented an engaging and hands-on session that stressed understanding normal waveforms to recognize what’s abnormal