Problem
NSW Paramedic Protocols and procedures Please.
Case Study
Dispatch has informed you of an incident nearby where a forklift has collided with a storage shelf and the scaffolding has collapsed. The shelf contained pesticide for the farming sector and some of the pesticide has leaked as a result of the storage bottles cracking on impact.
The scaffolding has trapped 2 employees underneath, and the forklift driver cannot exit the vehicle due to the roof collapsing over him. There is a fourth patient, but you are unsure of their condition.
Patient details are below:
Patient 1
Person 1 trapped under scaffolding, unable to self-extricate.
23-year-old suffering from c/o severe compound # in right leg - large open wound mid lower leg, pressure applied to wound by patient to assist uncontrolled bleeding.
RR = 30 per min. Mild respiratory distress with wheezing and gasping when attempting to talk.
Screaming in pain. Nil other immediately visible injuries.
GCS 15.
Pulse = 110 bpm
BP = 130/85
Patient 2
Person 2 trapped under scaffolding.
65-year-old drifting in and out of consciousness, responsive at times.
General appearance - Pale, clammy.
Located next to spilled pesticide, which is still leaking and spilling closer to patient.
GCS 13. Unable to take vital signs due to location.
Patient 3
Forklift driver, trapped from waist under vehicle.
36-year-old with obvious large laceration on right side of forehead with uncontrolled bleeding.
Patient able to apply pressure to wound and assist in controlling bleeding while trapped.
General appearance - pale, describes feeling faint.
GCS 15. RR = 24 per min. Pulse = 110 bpm, BP = 120/88.
Patient 4
Fourth patient located lying alongside forklift. GCS 3. Major trauma to head. Obvious signs of deceased. Unable to take vital signs due to location.
Task
I. Identify three hazard controls you could apply to ensure increased scene safety.
II. Identify three hazard controls you could apply to ensure increased scene safety.
III. What PPE would you need to utilise at this scene?
IV. If there was no spilled pesticide, what would you do different?