A new thread was started but the KED is for stable patients. If a patinet is unstable, I don't put a KED on. That 5 minutes counts. "Load and go" is in fact important.
Hence; that is the problem I see more and more. Very poor assessment techniques and truthfully what is really life threatening and what is not. The same problems is being ignored but continue on using helo EMS and transporting patients to a Level I. There are few instances that the patient is truly unstable in comparison to those that can be transported calmly and timely.
Those that meet the criteria of Level I patients (as per ACS/ your local area may be slightly different):
A patient is identified as a CTP when any of the following physiologic and/or anatomic
factors are present. These patients should be transported rapidly.
Physiologic criteria
● Glasgow Coma Scale < 12 or;
● Blood pressure < 90 systolic or;
● Respiratory rate < 10 or > 29
Please note: Normal vitals for pediatric patients differ
Anatomic injury factors:
● Penetrating injury to the torso, head, neck, groin, or extremity proximal to the knee or
elbow
● Evidence of
two or
more proximal long bone fractures (femur, humerus)
● Traumatic amputation
above the wrist or ankle
● Traumatic paralysis
Paramedic Consideration In addition, the following mechanisms of injury may be used to
identify a CTP. In general, these patients can be transported urgent, however, differing field
circumstances and/or patient condition may require a rapid transport.
● Death of an occupant in the same passenger space
● Extrication time of greater than twenty (20) minutes
● Auto vs. pedestrian with mechanism of injuries
Submersion with trauma
● Significant blunt trauma to head, neck, torso or abdomen
(e.g. starred windshield, loss of consciousness)
● Vehicle rollover without restraints
● Ejection of patient from vehicle
● Falls greater than or equal to fifteen (15) feet
● Falls greater than ten (10) feet (<14 or >55 years of age)
● Significant vehicle damage (e.g. front axle rearward displaced; passenger space
intrusion of one foot or more; bent steering wheel/column)
● Ejection from a moving object
The main emphasis that they truly have the mechanism of injury and also may present hemodynamic compromising.
Not all patients that have the indications need to go to a level I. i.e. star windshield. When a Level II or even a Level III can handle such injuries. Unless, again that patient is symptomatic in relation to the injuries.
There is not much difference in Level II and Level I except the research criteria. Most states have adopted ACS standards or similar modified ones. Be sure to understand what is a true emergency and one that can be handled at a lower level center.
As well as when one needs to really expediate and those that can be calmly dealt with.
R/r 911