Re: Pt. Scenario

["Wesley Copeland Sr., MICT, NREMT-P, CCEMT-P" <wcemt@terraworld.net>]

The criteria is there for direct transport to a Trauma Center, so why play
around with a smaller hospital?  I'm sure we have all seen patients similar
to this one.  Many are discharged before you can finish your paper work.
But we don't have x-ray, CT scans, or ultrasounds in the field to adequately
rule out internal injuries.  If it were you or your loved one, would you
want them to go to the local ER for treatment or would you want them seen by
a trauma team?  Personally, I would fly them out to a trauma center even if
the air transport time was significantly longer than to the local ER.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Adam Oplinger" <ajoplinger@FlightMedicMail.com>
To: <flightmed@flightweb.com>
Sent: Monday, December 31, 2001 8:14 AM
Subject: Pt. Scenario


> Hi all.
>
> I would appreciate any feedback that you all might have to offer on this
scenario:
>
> Pt. is a mid-thirties female, involved in MVC, unknown if restrained. Pt.
is apparently the driver. Pt. vehicle hits utility pole at greater than
55mph producing significant damage to vehicle. (You later find out that the
vehicle has also rolled over.) Approximately 20 minutes of extrication are
required to disentangle the patient. Ambient air temperature is approx. 20
to 25 degrees F.
>
> Pt. does not remember the crash. ETOH on board. Pt. oriented to person
only. Pt. has a one inch laceration to the left temporal region and active
bleeding from both nares. Pt. also c/o pain on palpation to the chest. Chest
wall is intact with bilateral breath sounds clear and equal. Pt. co
genralized ABD pain with increase on palpation of all quadrants. Pt. also
c/o lower back pain. Pt. is slightly tachycardic with evelvated B/P. Resps
and Sats WNL.
>
> Transport times as follows:
>
> By ground to trauma center: 30-40 minutes
> By air to trauma center: 10 minutes
> By ground to local community hospital: 10 minutes
>
> Does anybody feel that this particular patient recieves any benefit from
going to the community hospital by ground?
>
> Thanks a lot and have a happy and safe new year!
>
> Adam Oplinger NREMT-P
>
>
>
> _____________________________________________________________
> Get yourname@FlightMedicMail.com:
> Sign up at http://www.FlightMedicMail.com
>
> _______________________________________________
> Flightmed mailing list
>


_______________________________________________
Flightmed mailing list