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Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) assess patients to determine if they are sick and if there are any life threats. The assessment is broken down into five blocks: Scene safety: This block includes: BSI, Standard precautions, Environment, No hazards noted
- Primary survey: This is the first part of the assessment and should be completed in 10–15 minutes. It includes: Scene size up, Personal protective equipment (PPE) for body substance isolation (BSI), General impression of the patient, Determine level of consciousness (LOC), Determine chief complaint (CC) and any life threats - History taking or Chief Complaint Assessment - Vital Signs - Treatment and Reassessment
The primary assessment includes identifying immediate life threats through the ABCs: Airway: Assess for problems such as an airway obstruction or an airway occluded by blood or vomit Breathing: Assess the patient's ability to ventilate and oxygenate Circulation: Assess the patient's ability to perform internal respiration
Other tips for EMTs include: Look at the whole patient Decide whether to oxygenate or ventilate Determine shock Search for the signs of Beck's triad Check for Cushing's triad Recognize that not all wheezes are asthma List the causes of altered mental status
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