Patient Assessment: How to Do it Right, Every Time

26/03/2025 18 min

Listen "Patient Assessment: How to Do it Right, Every Time"

Episode Synopsis

This document details a systematic approach for patient assessment and care in outdoor emergencies, specifically for ski patrollers and first responders. It outlines a prioritized, step-by-step process based on the Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) manual. The described method emphasizes scene safety, rapid identification of life-threatening conditions, thorough evaluation, appropriate treatment, and safe transport. Key components include initial scene assessment, primary and secondary patient evaluations, gathering patient history and vital signs, and continuous reassessment. Following this structured protocol aims to optimize patient outcomes and enhance responder safety by preventing overlooked critical injuries. The process serves as a gold standard for consistent and effective emergency medical care in challenging outdoor environments.