1 gunshots, stabbings and other nefarious acts… april 2010 ce condell medical center ems system...
TRANSCRIPT
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Gunshots, Stabbings and Other Nefarious Acts…
April 2010 CECondell Medical Center EMS System
Prepared by: Lt. William Hoover, Medical OfficerWauconda Fire District
Reviewed/revised by: Sharon Hopkins, RN, BSN, EMT-P
Revised 4.12.10
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Objectives• Upon successful completion of this module, the EMS
provider will be able:
• Identify epidemiologic facts for firearm related injuries
• Identify relationship between kinetic energy and prediction of injury
• Identify how energy is transmitted from a penetrating object to body tissue
• Identify characteristics of handguns, shotguns and rifles
• Identify organ injuries associated with gunshot injuries
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Objectives cont’d• Identify management goals for a patient with gunshot
wounds• Identify items that could cause stab/penetration
trauma• Identify potential internal organ injuries dependant on
item causing stab/penetration injury• Identify management goals for a stab/penetrating
trauma patient• Identify adult fluid challenge issues
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Objectives cont’d
• Identify adult fluid challenge dosages• Identify pediatric fluid challenge issues• Identify pediatric fluid challenge dosages• Identify procedures for implementation of
intraosseous infusion• Demonstrate implementation of intraosseous
infusion• Demonstrate insertion of a saline lock• Demonstrate calculation of pediatric fluid challenge
dosage
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Gunshots…
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Gunshot Victims
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Firearm Related Injuries
• Gunshot wounds are either penetrating or perforating wounds
• Technical terms:– Penetrating gunshots are when the bullet
enters, but does not come out of the body.– Perforating gunshots are when the bullet
enters and exits the body
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Perforating Gunshots
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Penetrating gunshot
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Entrance wound
• Surrounded by a reddish-brown area of abraded skin, known as the abrasion ring
• Small amounts of blood
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Mechanism of Energy Exchange
• As bullet passes through tissue, it decelerates, dissipating and transferring kinetic energy to tissues– Cause of the injury
• Velocity more important than mass in determining how much damage is done– Small bullet at high speed will do more
damage than large bullet at slow speed
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Mechanism of Energy Exchange• High velocity
– High powered rifles; hunting rifles– Sniper rifles
• Medium velocity– Handguns, shotguns– Compound bows and arrows (higher energy released)
• Low velocity– Knives, arrows– Falling through plate glass window, stepping on
things, bits flung by lawnmower
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Medium & High Velocity
• These items are usually propelled by gunpowder or other explosive
• Faster the object, the deeper the injury• Causes damage to the tissue it impacts• Creates a “pressure wave” which causes
damage frequently greater than the tissue directly impacted
• If bone is struck, bone shatters and multiple bone fragments are dispersed
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Low velocity
• Usually a result of items such as knives that are propelled by a person’s own power– Also includes objects inadvertently stepped on– Includes many objects a patient may be impaled
on• Damage usually limited to the area directly in
contact with the object
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Types of Firearms
• Pistols– Revolver– Semi-Automatic
• Shotguns– Pump– Semi-Automatic
• Rifles– Bolt– Lever action
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Pistols – Medium Velocity
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Shotguns – Medium Velocity
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Rifles – High Velocity
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Projectiles – High Velocity
• Rifle bullets are designed to have much greater velocity than shotgun bullets
• Different size of casing provides more or less gunpowder
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7 mm rifle shell – High Velocity• Bonded design for deep
penetration and 90%+ weight retention
• Streamlined design delivers ultra-flat trajectories
• Devastating terminal performance across a wide velocity range
• Unequaled accuracy and terminal performance for long-range shots
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Projectiles – Medium Velocity
• Shotgun ammunition can be a variety of kinds
• Slugs are one large bullet in the shell
• Some shells contain numerous pellets of various sizes
• This can influence patient’s injuries
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Shotgun Shell – Medium Velocity
12 Gauge Shotgun Slug 12 Gauge Shotgun with #6 shot
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.38 caliber pistol ammunition
• Controlled expansion to 1.5x its original diameter over a wide range of velocities
• Heavier jacket stands up to the high pressures and velocities of the highest performance handgun cartridges
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Compound Bows and Arrows – Medium Velocity
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Arrowhead Types – Medium Velocity
Target tips Broadhead
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Arrow injuries
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Another ouch….
• How would you stabilize and dress these wounds?
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Principles of Wound Care• What are principles of wound care for the two
previous wounds?– Scene safety– Control bleeding
• Usually little to no bleeding while object still impaled
– Prevent further damage• Immobilize the object in place
–Gauze, tape, whatever it takes– Reduce infection
• Prevent further contamination
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Different Types of Knives
• Knives come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes
• The type of knife can influence the injuries a patient may have
• Hilt/handle of knife does not necessarily tell how long the knife is
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Anticipation of Injury
• Trajectory may be straight or not• Knowing anatomy helps anticipate organ
injury• Anticipating organ injury helps in knowing
what signs and symptoms to watch for• Anticipation of injury = proactive care
– Head wound = monitoring level of consciousness– Chest wound = assessing lung sounds– Abdominal wound = assessing internal blood loss
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Stabbings
• 15 year old stabbed in the head at a London bus stop
• Cannot determine from the outer wound what the damage is internally
• Assume the worse• Stabilization of impaled
objects extremely crucial
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Police Officer StabbingWhat injuries do you suspect?
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Organ Injury
Patient was shotwith a MAC-10
machine gun and sustained aliver injury
Lap sponge under fold of skin
Liver surface with injury noted to organ
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Scene Safety
• Attacks at both Columbine and Virginia Tech had well armed offenders
• EMS and Police must work through a unified command structure to provide maximum safety
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Scene Safety
• Not exclusive to schools– Fort Hood, TX Shooting (2009)– Colorado Church Shootings (2007)– Queens, NY Wendy’s Shooting (2000) – Atlanta Day Trader Shooting (1999)– San Ysidro McDonald’s Shooting (1984)
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Management Goals
• Short on scene time! Under 10 minutes!• Immediate life threatening issues addressed• Rapid move to ambulance• Good BLS skills• ALS treatment while enroute• Transport to Level 1 Hospital, if under 25
minutes• Transport to closest hospital if Level I >25
minutes away• Consider helicopter in unique situations
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Management Goals
• Critical patients need rapid transport per SOP• Difficult to assess internal damage in the field• Stop any visible bleeding that could cause
hemorrhage hypovolemia• Address airway issues
– Tension Pneumothorax chest decompression– Suction to keep airway open– Intubate to secure the airway
• Surgery is the answer to critical gunshots
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Management Goals
Focus on the basics
If there is a hole – plug itIf there is bleeding – stop it
If they can’t breathe – ventilate
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Scene Management Review
• Columbine shooting showed areas that police needed to address– Previously philosophy for police was to secure
area and wait in perimeter for SWAT to arrive– But, this allowed shooter to continue
unobstructed– Police now form team early and enter the building
to engage shooter providing containment– Prevents shooter from continuing rampage
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Thoughts - Scene Management
• EMS/Fire has not been as proactive• Staging vs. Entry
– Some agencies are sending first patrol officers in to engage/contain offender
– Next group in is two medics with two police escorts
– Treat patient and move on until running out of supplies, then retreat to remove victims
– Provide aggressive care and move fast– Departmental policies need to be reviewed
• Preferable to review with police input
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Scene Management
• Use MABAS to get more help early• Activate the Multiple Patient Incident Plan• Multiple staging areas
– Explosives could be set for responders– Easier deployment to variety of areas– Downside is less scene control
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Categorizing The Patient
• Perform scene size-up• Perform initial assessment
– Purpose – determine presence of life threats• Open airway/perform spinal precautions• Evaluate breathing• Evaluate circulation• Obtain AVPU and GCS scores• Obtain general impression
– Identify priority of transport
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Region X
Field Triage Criteria For Assessing Trauma Patients
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Patient Transport Decision
• Critical and Category I trauma patients
– Transported to highest level Trauma Center within 25 minutes
• Aeromedical transport remains an option especially in lengthy extrication and distance from the hospital
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Categorizing The Critical Patient
• Systolic B/P < 90 x2– Pediatric patient B/P < 80 x2
• Blood pressure values taken at least twice and 5 minutes apart
• These patients transported to highest level Trauma Center within 25 minutes
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Categorizing The Category I Trauma Patient
• Unstable vital signs– GCS < 10 or deteriorating mental status
• Best eye opening – 4 points max• Best verbal response – 5 points max• Best motor response – 6 points max
– Respiratory rate <10 or >29– Revised trauma score < 11
• Range 0-12 – 3 components added together
» Converted GCS (3-15 score converted to 0-4 points)» 0 - 4 points for respiratory rate» 0 - 4 points for systolic blood pressure
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Categorizing The Category I Trauma Patient
• Anatomy of injury– Penetrating injuries to head, neck, torso, or groin– Combination trauma with burns > 20%– 2 or more proximal long bone fractures– Unstable pelvis– Flail chest– Limb paralysis &/or sensory deficits above wrist or
ankle– Open and depressed skull fractures– Amputation proximal to wrist or ankle
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Patient Transport Decision• Category II trauma patients
– Transported to closest Trauma Center
• These are stable patients with significant mechanism of injury• You know they are stable because of frequent reassessment• There is the potential for these patients to become unstable
– Recognize that pediatric patients often pull you into false sense of security (but so can adults)
• Peds patients maintain homeostasis as long as possible and when compensation fails, they deteriorate fast
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Categorizing The Category II Trauma Patient
• Mechanism of injury– Ejection from automobile– Death in same passenger compartment– Motorcycle crash >20 mph or with separation of
rider from bike– Rollover – unrestrained– Falls > 20 feet
• Peds falls > 3x body length
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Category II Trauma Patient cont’d
• Mechanism of injury cont’d– Pedestrian thrown or run over– Auto vs pedestrian / bicyclist with > 5 mph impact– Extrication > 20 minutes– High speed MVC
• Speed > 40 mph• Intrusion > 12 inches• Major deformity > 20 inches
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Category II Trauma Patient
• Co-morbid factors– Age < 5 without car/booster seat– Bleeding disorders or on anticoagulants– Pregnancy > 24 weeks
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Category III Trauma Patient
• All other patients presenting with traumatic injuries– Fractures– Sprains/strains– Burns– Falls– Pain
• Provide routine trauma care– Honor patients request for hospital choice as
much as possible
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Communication• Call early; update as needed
– Hospital staff and resources may need to be mobilized
• The more critical the patient, most likely the shorter the report– Give important details– Paint the picture head to toe– Just as important is to give tasks not completed
• Intubation versus bagging• IV access obtained or not
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Abbreviated Radio ReportProvide department name, vehicle number and
receiving hospitalState, “this is an abbreviated report”Provide nature of situation and SOP being followedAge and sex of patientChief complaint and brief historyAirway and vascular statusCurrent vital signs, GCSMajor interventions completed or being attemptedETA
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Fluid Challenges
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Adult Fluid Challenge
• Adult fluid replacement is in 200 ml increments (replacement formula 20 ml/kg)
• Storage issues– IV bags are usually in ambulance, in bays– Fluid eventually are at ambient temperatures– 70° fluid into 98.60 body will cause core body
temperature to decrease– Hypothermia results– Cold patients become acidotic patients
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Adult Fluid Challenge
• 200 ml increments– Formula is 20 ml/kg– Example
• 200 # patient = 100 kg–100 kg x 20 ml/kg = 2000ml fluid challenge
– Reassess your patient as you are passing the 200 ml mark
– Monitor breath sounds for fluid overload
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Adult Fluid Challenges
• Vascular issues– Vessel damage results in extensive blood loss– EMS infuses Normal Saline– NS does not carry oxygen; NS solves volume issue
only– Volume can be filled, but patient still in distress
due to lack of oxygen carrying capacity (ie: blood)– Goal should not be to get a 120/80 blood
pressure, rather to stabilize
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Adult Fluid Challenges
• If your patient’s blood is becoming pink, they need more blood in the system!
• EMS typically does not carry blood in the field• Important to accelerate transport to a facility
that can add the blood and do the surgery to repair the underlying problem!!!
• Good BLS skills are more important than ALS skills for these types of patients!
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Pediatric Fluid Challenges• Pediatric shock protocol
– EMS carries Normal Saline– Formula 20 ml per kg for fluid bolus– Can be administered up to three times total or up
to 60 ml per kg total• Smaller container (patient size) means less
fluid means less oxygen carrying capacity• Example:• 30# patient = 14 kg (30 2.2)
– 14 x 20ml/kg = 280 ml fluid challenge
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Fluid Challenge Calculations
• 6 year old patient weighs 66 pounds– 66 pounds = 30 kg– Fluid challenge of 30 kg x 20 ml = 600 ml each time
• 15 year old patient weighs 175 pounds– 175 pounds = 80 kg– Fluid challenge of 80 x 20ml = 1600 ml fluid
• 25 year old patient weighs 120 pounds– Adult gets fluid challenge in 200 ml increments
• 75 year old patient weighs 180 pounds– Adult gets cautious fluid challenge in 200 ml increments
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Fluid Challenges
• Precautions– All patients need to be monitored for potential
CHF– Even a previously healthy patient can be thrown
into CHF • Too much fluid too fast
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Case Study #1
• Dispatched for double shooting @ 0942• Ambulance enroute @ 0942• Ambulance staged @ 0947• Flight for Life notified @ 0952• Scene secured by police @ 1000• FFL in the air @ 1000• Patient contact @1002
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Case Study #1
• Ambulance enroute to landing zone @ 10:13• FFL on ground @ 10:15• FFL to Level I @ 10:23• .38 caliber revolver pistol used in the shooting
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Case Study #1
• Patient #1– 38 year-old female with multiple gun shot wounds– Found in the basement of the house
GSW to right hand (entry and exit)GSW to right side of neck (entry) and lower right
ribcage (exit)GSW to right forearm (entry and exit)GSW to right humerus (entry and exit)GSW to left hand (entry and exit)
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Case Study #1
• Patient #1 – Approximately 2 liters of blood loss– Responding to verbal stimuli– Pupils: PERL– Lungs: left (clear), right (rhonchi), normal effort– Skin: Pale, dry, cool with delayed capillary refill– Past medical history, meds & allergies unknown– Unable to obtain B/P, femoral pulse @ 110
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Case Study #1
• Respirations 22 with SPO2 of 94% on room air – SPO2 increased to 99% after oxygen @ 15 L via NRB
• ECG: Sinus tachycardia with rate of 110• Patient disoriented• GCS = 9; RTS = 10
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Case Study #1
• Treatment plan:– Scene safety – Additional units requested, including FFL– ABC’s performed– Immobilization by c-collar, backboard & head
immobilizers– Patient moved to ambulance– Patient exposed with multiple gunshot wounds
discovered
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Case Study #1
• Bleeding controlled to entry & exit wounds with trauma dressings
• Oxygen administered at 15 L via NRB mask• IV of Normal Saline administered with 18 G in
left extremity, wide open rate• Crew monitored lung sounds and femoral
pulse throughout• Patient transferred to FFL crew• CMC (as Medical Control) notified
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Case Study #1
• Patient #2– DOA from self inflicted gun shot wound– Was going through a divorce and called patient #1
to come pick up the kids– When Patient #1 arrived, Patient #2 asked her to
step into the basement where he shot her multiple times and then turned gun on self
– Children’s grandparents had also been called to pick up the kids
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Case Study #1
• Is this a Category I or II trauma patient and why?– Systolic B/P below 90– GCS less than 10– RTS less than 11– Penetrating injuries to head, neck, torso or groin
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EZ IO
• Have you used one on a patient?
• High risk, low volume procedure– To retain competency need
review and practice
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EZ IO
• Indications– Must meet all indications
• Shock, arrest, or impending arrest
• Unconscious/unresponsive to verbal stimuli
• 2 unsuccessful IV attempts or 90 seconds duration
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EZ IO• Contraindications
– Fracture of the tibia or femur– Infection at insertion site– Previous orthopedic procedure (knee
replacement, previous IO insertion within 480)– Pre-existing medical condition (tumor near site,
peripheral vascular disease)– Inability to locate landmarks (significant edema)– Excessive tissue at insertion site (morbid obesity)
• Hold leg up off bed to allow excess tissue to fall dependently
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EZ IO Equipment• Lithium drill
– Battery powered for 1000 insertions• Needle
– Blue needle – 25 mm (1) 15 G for patients over 88 pounds (40kg)
– Pink needle – 15 mm (5/8) 15G for patients between 7 and 88 pounds (3kg – 40kg)
• EZ connect tubing• Syringe• Saline to prime EZ connect tubing• Primed IV bag• Pressure bag/B/P cuff• Site prep material (ie: alcohol pad)
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Equipment Case
Needle sizes used in Region X
EZ connect tubing
10 ml syringe with saline
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EZ IO Procedure
• Prime EZ connect tubing with saline; leave syringe attached (for flushing)
• Locate and cleanse site– Proximal medial tibia
• Prepare driver and needle set; remove safety cap• Insert needle at 900 angle• Remove stylet• Attach primed EZ connect tubing• Aspirate then flush line with remaining saline• Remove syringe only and connect primed IV set• Confirm needle placement
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Identifying Site
• Proximal medial tibia– 2 finger breadths below patella (to tibial
tuberosity) and 1 finger breadth medially from tibial tuberosity
– May or may not be able to identify the tibial tuberosity at 2 finger breadths below patella
– As patient is lying supine, legs tend to roll slightly outward
• This presents the flat surface of the tibia
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Confirming EZ IO Placement
• Sudden lack of resistance felt
• Needle stands up by self• Bone marrow may be
noted on aspiration• No resistance to flushing• IV runs with pressure
applied to IV bag• No infiltration noted
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Documentation OF EZ IO Insertion• Document usual IV insertion information
– Time of insertion– Size IV bag used– Site, needle length, needle gauge– Amount of fluid infused in the field
• Place fluorescent yellow arm band on patient’s wrist to indicate insertion (or attempt) of IO– Recommended to place on same side as insertion
site– Arm band used for successful and unsuccessful
insertions
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• Complete PI form for every use of the EZ IO needle
• Submit PI form to the EMS coordinator with the EMS run report
EZ IO PI
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Saline Lock/Extension Tubing• Indication
– To establish an extension line between the IV catheter and the IV tubing
• Allows hospital staff to change IV tubing with less disturbance to the inserted IV catheter
– To have access to circulation without the need for fluids
• Equipment– IV start pak– IV catheter– Macrobore extension set (7.25 inches)– 10 ml saline in syringe for priming tubing and flushing
• Routine medical care SOP states:– Establish 0.9 normal saline (NS) per IV/IO and
adjust flow as indicated by the patient’s condition and age
– May use a saline lock cap on IV catheter hub for stable patients (not needing fluid resuscitation)
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Region X SOP - Saline Lock
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• Note:– Saline lock is an older term
• Tends to mean a small cap device inserted into the proximal end of an IV catheter; no extra tubing
– Equipment to be used• Macrobore extension tubing with clave port
– 5-7 inches of tubing with a male end to connect to the proximal IV catheter
– Clave port on proximal end for connecting IV tubing or attaching a syringe
• Nowadays, if you say “saline lock” the macrobore and microbore tubing is the device the general hospital person would think you are discussing
Terminology Saline Lock – Extension Tubing
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“Saline Lock” Procedure
• Establish an IV following sterile technique• Remove stylet• Insert distal tip of primed extension tubing/ saline
lock into IV catheter– If administering fluids, IV tubing should be already
attached to the extension tubing/saline lock• Adjust flow rate
• If IV line is precautionary, flush extension tubing/saline lock with 10 ml sterile normal saline– Remove syringe– Do not need IV tubing or IV bag
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Extension Tubing/Saline Lock• Connecting to IV catheter
– Keep IV site as distal as possible• AC should not be your first choice
• We are requesting to start getting into habit of adding this extension tubing to all IV starts
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IV Equipment for Saline Lock• If patient needs fluid, attach primed IV tubing with bag to
proximal end of extension tubing/saline lock
– Wipe off blue clave port with alcohol prep pad– Push in and twist primed IV tubing to connect – Adjust flow rate as indicated– Document time, type, and size IV solution hung– Distal tip of clave inserted into IV catheter
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Extension tubing/Saline Lock In Place
• Extension tubing/saline lock properly secured– Insertion site not taped over– Clear view of insertion site through op-site/tegaderm
dressing – Access to port available– Can easily attach primed
IV tubing if need to begin fluid therapy
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Improperly Secured IV Site
• Insertion site taped over• Gauze bandaging under tape
– Increased risk of infection
IV site properly covered with see through dressing
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Extravasation of Medication
• To use the extension tubing/saline lock for infusion, must verify that the line is patent– Aspirate for blood return– Stop infusion if patient complains of pain/burning
Extravasation of IVP medication resulting in amputation of several fingers
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Case Study #2
• 25 year old male shot in the chest• Police are on the scene• Patient sitting on ground, leaning against car• Several small casings on ground near victim• Patient bleeding from small chest wound left
anterior chest• Patient is anxious, pale, diaphoretic with
elevated respiratory rate
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Case Study #2
• Patient alert and oriented x3• Complains of mild chest pain aggravated with
deep breathing• VS: 122/86, 90 – 20• Hole noted in the left anterior chest about the
3rd intercostal space– No air seems to be moving through the hole
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Case Study #2
• What questions do you have?– Has the patient been searched?
• The patient had not been searched• A small pocket knife was retrieved by police
• Is there anything else to be done for assessment?– Check for multiple bullet wounds– Evaluate all sides of the patient
• A large wound was noted on the patient’s left back
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Case Study #2
• Interventions required– Immediately seal the open wounds
• Dressing secured on 3 sides– Provide high flow oxygen via non-rebreather– Establish IV access– Contact Medical Control
• What Category trauma is this patient?–Category I – penetration of torso
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Case Study #2 - Documentation
• “Upon arrival found patient handcuffed. States, “they shot me” a few minutes ago. Bleeding is controlled. Patient states only mild pain especially with a deep breath. IV, O2, monitor applied. Level I trauma center notified. Police informed of hospital destination.”
• What’s wrong with this documentation?
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Case Study #2
• No description of injuries noted– Size, location, presence/absence of bleeding– Lack of documentation of gun used when
information is known• No documentation of 3 sided dressing applied• No documentation of response to treatment• Interventions (ie: IV, O2, monitor) do not need
to be reduplicated in the comments• No documentation of police in ambulance due
to patient being handcuffed
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Case Study #3
• 911 call to scene for a domestic incident• Upon arrival, summoned to the back yard for a 23
year old female patient lying on the ground conscious and awake
• Patient states she was running out of the house and tripped down the stairs
• Tree branch noted impaled through right flank at level of umbilicus
• VS: 124/100; 120; 22; SpO2 98%; warm & dry• No active bleeding
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Case Study #3
• What actions are necessary for EMS to take for:– Scene safety?– Initial assessment?– Interventions?– Reassessment?
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Case Study #3• Scene safety
– Is the scene secured?– Where is the husband; who is with the husband?
• Initial assessment– Airway – open– Breathing – without distress although patient is upset– Circulation – warm & dry; capillary refill 1 ½ seconds;
pulse steady and palpable at the radial site– AVPU – awake, cooperative, anxious
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Case Study #3
• Categorization?– Category I – penetrating object to torso
• Interventions– Secure impaled object, prevent further movement
• Manual control initially• Gauze padding around entrance site• Assess for exit wound
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Case Study #3
• Reassessment– What internal injury is anticipated?
• Abdominal– Solid organ – bleeding– Hollow organ – spilling contents causing contamination– Punctured vessels hemorrhage
• Chest– Punctured diaphragm– Punctured lung– Punctured heart– Punctured vessels
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Case Study #3
• Patient taken to OR• Stabilization maintained to prevent movement
of impaled object• Tree branch removed under direct
visualization• Abdominal cavity cleaned and flushed• Patient did well and was discharged 5 days
post-op
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Case Study #4
• Responded to a call at a tavern for a person shot • Upon arrival, the patient lying on their right
side, blood noted under their head• Patient is breathing, radial pulse is palpable• They do not open their eyes; the patient moans
when touched; the patient withdraws• The bullet is visible in the wound• What is first things first?
– SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY
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Case Study #4
• Patient was in a local bar• Was reported to be inebriated• Was shot with a .25 ACP (relatively weak
round; assailant is gone)• Patient slumped to ground from bar stool
• Describe your care• Score the GCS• What report do you provide to the ED?
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Case Study #4
• Need to log roll patient protecting C-spine
• Maintain clear airway• GCS
– Eye opening – 1– Verbal response – 2– Motor response – 4– Total GCS - 7
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Case Study #4
• Cannot tell internal damage by external appearances only
• Patient had small bone fragments that were pushed into the brain
• Patient required neurosurgery evaluation
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Case Study #4• Report
– Description of wound(s) noted including body region
– Include type of weapon used if information is available
– Include distance from weapon if available• Closer the range, the more energy that is
behind the bullet/shot the greater the internal damage
– Note basic care provided (IV, O2, monitor)
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Case Study #5
• A patient presents as a walk-in to your department
• Approximately 2 hours ago, he was involved in a domestic disturbance
• Patient states his girlfriend hit him in the upper chest and he continues to have some pain and is now worried regarding the injury
• Awake and alert, vital signs stable
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Case Study #5• You can’t assess what you can’t see – remove clothing• What injuries do you anticipate?
– Heart, lung, vessels– Trachea– Esophagus
Visible wound
Object viewed on x-ray
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Case Study #5 – Operative View
• Impaled object after removal• Was near pulmonary artery but no damage• Knife missed all vital structures
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Case Closure
• What saves lives when impaled/penetrating objects are involved?Age and condition of patient
• Younger patients and those in good health can tolerate the insult better
Rapid identification and transport form the field
Proper stabilization of the object to prevent further damage by movement
Rapid OR for direct visualization and repair
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HAVE A SAFE SHIFT!Thank you!
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Bibliography• Hoover, C. Fluid Resuscitation Controversies. EMS
Magazine. March 2010.• Proehl, J. Emergency Nursing Procedures, 4th Edition.
Saunders. 2009.• Region X SOP March 2007; amended January 1, 2008.• Smith, M. Lecture. “Working Together” EMS Conference
2010.• Wauconda Fire Department call records• Olliver.family.gen.nz/launchpad/Head_wound.png• www.cabelas.com<http://www.cabelas.com>• www.jems.com<http://www.jems.com>
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Bibliography cont’d
• www.remington.com<http://www.remington.com>• www.vidacare.com• www.Wikipedia.org<http://www.Wikipedia.org>• www.winchester.com<http://www.winchester. com>