500-01 Determining if a patient exists

Questions and Answers

What constitutes a citizen being classified as a patient?

An evaluation performed by a physician on-site.

Their age and history of prior medical conditions.

Anything indicative of acute illness or injury. (correct)

A lack of capacity to understand proposed treatments.

What does capacity refer to in the context of identifying a patient?

The ability to understand benefits, risks, and alternatives of treatment. (correct)

The relationship of the citizen to emergency personnel.

The ability to pay for medical treatment.

The age and maturity level of a citizen.

In which situation is professional judgment required to determine if a citizen is a patient?

When a citizen appears faint without prior medical history.

When a citizen refuses treatment.

When walking through a crowd of intoxicated individuals. (correct)

During a large public event with no medical emergencies reported.

Which factor is NOT an indicator that a citizen is considered a patient after a motor vehicle collision?

Use of a seatbelt during the incident. Signup and view all the answers

What should be referred to for all patient refusals?

SOG 520-03 Patient Refusal. Signup and view all the answers

What event does not qualify as a Mass Casualty Incident?

A situation involving multiple intoxicated citizens. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following situations would lead Fire Rescue personnel to suspect potential injuries?

No complaints or visible injuries despite the mechanism of injury. Signup and view all the answers

When assessing whether a full patient assessment is required, which is a valid consideration?

Evidence suggesting high-speed impact. Signup and view all the answers

What indicates that an individual found on the ground is classified as a patient?

The individual is unable to get up without assistance. Signup and view all the answers

How should a crew assess a person who is able to get up on their own but denies any complaint and shows no obvious injuries?

The crew should assess the individual's capacity. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes an acute condition from a chronic condition when assessing an individual’s inability to ambulate?

An acute condition leads the individual to be classified as a patient. Signup and view all the answers

What should crews do if they determine an individual’s condition is chronic?

Create a MIH referral based on ongoing assistance needs. Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario would NOT classify an individual as a patient?

An individual is lying on the ground but able to get up with assistance. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first action a crew should take when encountering an individual who cannot ambulate?

Assess if the inability to ambulate is acute or chronic. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential outcome for an individual able to get up on their own but has been assessed to lack capacity?

They are classified as a patient regardless of their ability. Signup and view all the answers

What would be the correct action if an individual presents with steering wheel damage upon airbag deployment?

The individual should be evaluated for injuries related to the accident. Signup and view all the answers

What should Fire Rescue personnel assume if there is doubt about a citizen being a patient?

Assume the citizen is a patient. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following criteria indicates that a citizen should be classified as a patient?

The citizen has a medical complaint or obvious injury. Signup and view all the answers

What action should be taken for any patient who refuses an assessment?

Refer to SOG 520-03 Patient Refusal. Signup and view all the answers

Who holds the authority to implement the standard operating guideline for determining if a patient exists?

The Fire Rescue Administrator and Medical Director. Signup and view all the answers

Which procedure must be followed when documenting incidents?

Document all incidents as per policy PPM FR-M-201. Signup and view all the answers

Fire Rescue personnel may encounter citizens in which of the following situations?

Variety of non-incident related settings. Signup and view all the answers

If a citizen appears to be in distress, what is the appropriate classification?

They should always be treated as a patient. Signup and view all the answers

What is the effective date of the standard operating guideline for determining if a patient exists?

1/18/2021 Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Purpose and Authority

Guidelines establish a framework for Fire Rescue personnel to determine if a citizen is a patient.
Authority is granted by the Fire Rescue Administrator and the Medical Director.

Scope of the Guidelines

Applicable to all Fire Rescue personnel.
Aims to assist in evaluating potential patients during citizen contact.

General Procedures

Incidents must be documented as per policy PPM FR-M-201 Incident Reporting.
Assume any uncertain citizen is a patient.
Full assessment is mandatory for identified patients; refer to SOG 520-03 for patient refusals.

Contact with Citizens

Fire Rescue personnel meet citizens in various situations that may or may not relate to an incident.
Criteria for patient determination:
- Citizens with medical complaints, injuries, or signs of distress are patients.
- Signs of acute illness or injury make a citizen a patient.
- Citizens assessed for capacity who lack it are considered patients.

Capacity Determination

Capacity involves understanding treatment benefits, risks, and alternatives.
Professional judgment is crucial, especially in settings with intoxicated individuals.

Specific Patient Situations

For minors, SOG 520-03 Patient Refusal guidelines apply.
In motor vehicle collisions (MVCs):
- No complaints or injuries do not exempt from assessment.
- Full patient evaluations are required with any significant vehicle damage, lack of restraints, airbag deployment, steering wheel damage, existence of injuries in others, or abnormal behavior.

Citizens Found on the Ground

A citizen unable to get up independently is deemed a patient.
Citizens who can get up but deny complaints undergo a capacity assessment:
- If lacking capacity, they are patients; if capable, they are not.

Requests for Help

Individual reasons for immobility need to be classified as acute or chronic.
Citizens with acute conditions are classified as patients, while chronic conditions may be documented as a Public Assist request.

Supersession History

This guideline supersedes previous versions to reflect updates made on various dates, with the last update issued on December 21, 2020.

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Description

This Standard Operating Guideline outlines the procedures for determining if a patient exists in emergency situations. It emphasizes the roles of the Fire Rescue Administrator and Medical Director in this process. Understanding these guidelines is crucial for effective emergency response.