Podcast
Questions and Answers
In the initial case scenario, what immediate action was NOT taken that could have potentially altered the outcome for the 68-year-old woman?
In the initial case scenario, what immediate action was NOT taken that could have potentially altered the outcome for the 68-year-old woman?
- Utilizing a defibrillator, which was available in the office.
- Instructing the secretary to call 911 for emergency assistance.
- Immediate administration of emergency drugs from a crash cart. (correct)
- Placing the patient in the recovery position to prevent aspiration.
What is the most likely legal implication arising from the first case scenario described?
What is the most likely legal implication arising from the first case scenario described?
- The paramedics are liable for failing to resuscitate the patient.
- The physician could be sued for negligence due to lack of preparedness. (correct)
- The physician is immune from liability due to Good Samaritan laws.
- The hospital is liable because the patient died shortly after arrival.
When evaluating a primary care office for emergency preparedness, which of the following is MOST important to consider?
When evaluating a primary care office for emergency preparedness, which of the following is MOST important to consider?
- The number of parking spaces available for patients and staff.
- The availability of comfortable seating for patients.
- The interior design and aesthetics of the waiting area.
- The proximity to an emergency department and average EMS response time. (correct)
If a primary care office is located in a rural area, how might this impact emergency preparedness planning?
If a primary care office is located in a rural area, how might this impact emergency preparedness planning?
A patient in a primary care office presents with rapid breathing, wheezing, and use of accessory muscles. Which of the following emergency conditions is MOST likely?
A patient in a primary care office presents with rapid breathing, wheezing, and use of accessory muscles. Which of the following emergency conditions is MOST likely?
Which of the following pieces of equipment is critical for assessing a patient's respiratory status during an emergency in a primary care office?
Which of the following pieces of equipment is critical for assessing a patient's respiratory status during an emergency in a primary care office?
A patient experiencing anaphylaxis requires immediate intervention. Which medication is MOST appropriate to administer FIRST?
A patient experiencing anaphylaxis requires immediate intervention. Which medication is MOST appropriate to administer FIRST?
A patient is suspected of overdosing on an opioid in the primary care waiting room. What drug should be readily available and administered?
A patient is suspected of overdosing on an opioid in the primary care waiting room. What drug should be readily available and administered?
Why is regular AED maintenance and staff training crucial in a primary care setting?
Why is regular AED maintenance and staff training crucial in a primary care setting?
In emergency response, what action is a medical assistant typically responsible for?
In emergency response, what action is a medical assistant typically responsible for?
During a medical emergency in a primary care office, what is the PRIMARY role of the front desk staff?
During a medical emergency in a primary care office, what is the PRIMARY role of the front desk staff?
In the second case scenario, what initial symptom did the patient exhibit that should have raised suspicion for a potential medical emergency?
In the second case scenario, what initial symptom did the patient exhibit that should have raised suspicion for a potential medical emergency?
Following the administration of epinephrine and Benadryl, the patient in the second case scenario progressed to grand mal seizures. What immediate intervention should be performed?
Following the administration of epinephrine and Benadryl, the patient in the second case scenario progressed to grand mal seizures. What immediate intervention should be performed?
In the context of emergency preparedness training for a primary care office, which staff member's training would MOST directly impact the ability to administer life-saving medications?
In the context of emergency preparedness training for a primary care office, which staff member's training would MOST directly impact the ability to administer life-saving medications?
If a patient in the waiting room appears to be in distress - identifying significant signs of a potential medical issue, what is the FIRST action the front desk should take?
If a patient in the waiting room appears to be in distress - identifying significant signs of a potential medical issue, what is the FIRST action the front desk should take?
Flashcards
What is a crash cart?
What is a crash cart?
A cart containing emergency medical equipment and drugs for immediate use.
Common Office Emergencies
Common Office Emergencies
Asthma exacerbation, psychiatric issues, seizures, hypoglycemia, anaphylaxis, impaired consciousness, shock, poisoning, drug overdose, chest pain, and cardiac arrest.
Emergency Supplies
Emergency Supplies
AED, oxygen, IV supplies, pulse oximeter, glucometer, and bag-valve mask.
Emergency Medications
Emergency Medications
Signup and view all the flashcards
Emergency Training for Office Staff
Emergency Training for Office Staff
Signup and view all the flashcards
Front desk responsibility
Front desk responsibility
Signup and view all the flashcards
Medical Assistants (MA's) role
Medical Assistants (MA's) role
Signup and view all the flashcards
Check out responsibility
Check out responsibility
Signup and view all the flashcards
Additional staff
Additional staff
Signup and view all the flashcards
Study Notes
- Emergencies in Primary Care: Preparedness
Case Scenario 1
- A 68-year-old woman collapsed at her family physician's office, and was not feeling well.
- Despite a defibrillator and intubation equipment being available, there was no crash cart with emergency drugs.
- The physician instructed the secretary to call 911, but only placed the patient in the recovery position without administering any emergency care.
- Paramedics performed aggressive resuscitation efforts, but the patient died shortly after arriving at the hospital.
- A lawsuit alleged that the patient would have survived if the physician had used available modalities and equipment.
Evaluation of Office and Practice
- Consider the types of emergencies that have occurred in your office in the past year, and how often such emergencies have been encountered in your medical career.
- Note the type of patients treated, including those with special health needs or co-morbidities outside of your specialty, and the most common potential emergencies they might experience.
- Determine if your office is freestanding, or located in a large health center, a clinic, or a hospital.
- Consider the distance of your office from an emergency department or other emergent care facility.
- Average response times can be 11-16 minutes to a 911 call, but it could be longer in a rural area.
Common Causes of Emergencies
- Asthma exacerbation
- Psychiatric issues
- Seizure
- Hypoglycemia
- Anaphylaxis
- Impaired consciousness
- Shock
- Poisoning
- Drug overdose
- Chest pain
- Cardiac arrest
Acquisition of Supplies
- AED (Automated External Defibrillator) - testing and training
- Oxygen (O2)
- IV supplies
- Pulse oximeter
- Glucometer
- Bag-valve mask
Medications
- Acetaminophen (rectal suppositories)
- Albuterol (Proventil)
- Aspirin
- Ceftriaxone (Rocephin)
- Corticosteroids, parenteral
- Dextrose 25%
- Diazepam, parenteral (Valium)
- Diphenhydramine, oral and parenteral (Benadryl)
- Epinephrine (1:1,000, 1:10,000)
- Flumazenil (Romazicon)
- Lorazepam, sublingual (Ativan)
- Morphine (MS Contin)
- Naloxone (Narcan)
- Nitroglycerine spray
- Normal Saline
Training
- Training/certification for physicians/NPs/PAs/RNs
- Certification for medical assistants
- Training for front office staff
Designated Roles (Sample)
- Front desk staff should identify patients in distress, assess the waiting room, and alert patients of office emergencies.
- Medical Assistants (MA's) should situate ill patients in rooms, have emergency equipment ready, obtain baseline vital signs, start O2 if needed, and assist the provider.
- Nurses administer medication, delegate to MA's and assist the provider in a code if present.
- Providers respond to calls from MA's or nurses.
- Providers act as team leaders, assign roles, assess patients, and run the code.
- Check-out staff should call 911, clear hallways, and direct EMS to the room.
- Additional staff should facilitate the flow of patients and communicate with the front desk.
Case Scenario 2
- A 59-year-old female patient at the office for an exam and fasting blood work stated her “sugar was low".
- She complained of being lightheaded, weak, and shaky.
- She was brought to the exam room, given soda and crackers, and then began to exhibit signs of anaphylaxis, including nausea, throat tightness, difficulty breathing, and swelling of her lips and tongue.
- The physician called a code blue, signaling the medical assistant to call 911.
- The medical assistant retrieved the medical emergency kit and oxygen tank.
- The physician administered 1Â mg/mL epinephrine.
- This was followed by 50Â mg/mL Benadryl and then a second ampule of epinephrine.Â
- The laryngeal spasm subsided, but the patient had a grand mal seizure.Â
- The patient was repositioned to the floor to prevent injury.Â
- The physician began monitoring vitals after the seizure subsided.
- Respirations were shallow, the pulse was weak/thready and CPR was started when her pulse was lost.
- Additional resuscitation attempts en route and at the hospital were unsuccessful.
- No suit was filed.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
