Urgent care directions |
1 . |
Assess the situation . |
2 . |
Make the area safe . |
3 . |
Assess all patients . |
4 . |
Assess using accepted techniques . Example : DRSABC of resuscitation . |
5 . |
Identify injury or illness . |
6 . |
Give appropriate and adequate treatment in order of priority . |
7 . |
Organise removal of patients to secondary care where appropriate . |
Primary survey
The starting point of all first aid assessments . Each point should be followed in order and each element acted on if a life threat is identified .
Assess the general scene .
Observe for conditions , objects or people that could present a danger to the patient or the rescuer . Examples could include : uneven terrain , slip and trip hazards , adverse weather , falling objects , fuel , sharp tools , insects or animals .
Danger
Order of priority is self , others , patient .
Improve scene safety by moving or stabilizing dangerous objects and if necessary and ‘ safe ’ to do so , move the patient to a more suitable location .
Assess the level of response of the patient . Use the AVPU scale .
A – Alert . Patient is awake , talking , oriented but may be confused . – Ask questions to assess orientation : name , date of birth , current day and date , current location , home address .
Response
V – Responds to Voice . Use a deep , commanding voice when trying to elicit a response , begin at normal volume , speak loudly if no initial response .
P – Responds to Pain . Accepted methods of eliciting a response include ( in order of intervention ) lightly brushing eyelash , squeezing the trapezius muscle , squeezing an earlobe , sternal rub .
U – Unresponsive . Patient does not respond to voice or painful stimulus .
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