What is a Medical Patient?
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
(The possibilities are numerous!)
Cardiac and cardiovascular related illnesses and emergencies
Transient ischemic attack (TIA), hemorrhagic or thrombolytic stroke
Seizure
Appendicitis and other abdominal organ related illnesses
Kidney stone and other urinary tract illnesses
Pregnancy related emergencies
Sex organ related illnesses and emergencies
Temperature related emergencies
Poisoning (intentional or unitentional)
Allergic reactions and anaphylaxis
Flu–like illnesses, gastroenteritis, and other gastrointestinal related illnesses
Asthma, pneumonia, emphysema, COPD, CHF, and other respiratory and pulmonary illnesses
Altitude related illnesses
Diabetic related illnesses
Non-trauma related shock (sepsis, GI bleeding)
Psychiatric and behavioral illnesses and emergencies
What are the Red Flag Criteria for when a medical patient should be evacuated to a hospital?
□ New chest discomfort; “pressure,” ”tightness,” or “heartburn” pain that is not clearly
musculoskeletal.
□ Any patient with a cardiac history who is experiencing shortness of breath or other cardiac
symptoms which are not relived by rest and medication.
□ Any patient who is experiencing shortness of breath which is not rapidly improving with
medication.
□ Rapid evac any patient with suspected stroke symptoms.
□ Consider evac for anyone who was unconscious who is not rapidly improving.
□ Evac any patient with first time seizure(s). Rapid evac for any continuous seizure.
□ Rapid evac any patient with persistent altered mental status from any cause (Pt’s with altered
mental status should be given nothing by mouth (diabetic with hypoglycemia is an exception).
□ Evac any diabetic with hyperglycemia and prolonged illness, especially with persistent vomiting,
diarrhea, dehydration, or urine ketones.
□ Rapid evac any diabetic patient with altered mental status.
□ Rapid evac any patient with symptoms of severe allergic reaction (stay alert for secondary
reactions). Epi starts wtih "E" - if given, evac.
□ Evac any patient who may be pregnant and is experiencing abdominal pain or abnormal vaginal
bleeding. Pt’s with suspected urinary tract infections or vaginitis, or persistent testicular pain
should be evacuated. Suspected testicular torsion should be rapidly evacuated.
□ For patients with abdominal pain evacuate:
o If evacuation is short, give patients nothing by mouth. If the evacuation is prolonged, give
only clear fluids to avoid dehydration.
o If abdominal pain has persisted for greater than 12 hours, especially if constant.
o Rapid evac anyone with pain that is localized, accompanied by guarding, abdominal
tenderness, distention or rigidity, or aggravated by movement or jarring.
o Anyone with blood in urine, vomit or stool.
o Anyone with persistent vomiting or diarrhea, especially if showing signs of shock.
o Anyone with a persistent high fever.
o Anyone with suspected or possibility of pregnancy.
□ Evac anyone with a mental health condition that is beyond your ability to manage in the field,
particularly if the person is posing a danger (verbalizing thoughts of suicide, homicide, or
demonstrates or threatens, self-harm or harm to others).
What is a Medical Patient?
2015 Ski & Mountain Trauma Conference
Cami Taysom, RN, CEN, CPEN, WFR
http://www.caribouyurt.com