The major incident
Chapter 56. The major incident An overview Classification • A simple major incident is one in which the infrastructure of the community in which it occurs remains intact, e.g. a…
EMERGENCY MEDICINE
Psychiatric emergencies
Chapter 55. Psychiatric emergencies Mentally ill patients may be admitted to hospital involuntarily under the Mental Health Act if they are deemed to be a risk to themselves or to…
Cardiovascular emergencies
Chapter 15. Cardiovascular emergencies Ischaemic heart disease is the most common cardiovascular problem in the UK. Approximately one in four men and one in five women die from the disease….
The uncooperative or violent patient
Chapter 54. The uncooperative or violent patient Ambulance crews are frequently exposed to violent situations and threatening behaviour from patients and bystanders. Ambulance control should communicate to crews any factors…
Substance abuse
Chapter 53. Substance abuse Alcohol dependence Of the UK population, 2% suffer from alcohol dependence syndrome at any time. Dependence is most common in: • Those aged 40–54 years •…
Trauma in pregnancy
Chapter 51. Trauma in pregnancy The approach to the pregnant trauma victim is exactly the same as for the non-pregnant trauma victim, except that there are two patients – mother…
Childbirth
Chapter 49. Childbirth Childbirth is frequently successful without any intervention from healthcare professionals. The time when a paramedic may have to become involved is in the established second stage of…
Emergencies in pregnancy
Chapter 50. Emergencies in pregnancy Pregnancy should be considered in any woman of reproductive age. Not every woman will admit, or even realise, that she is pregnant. There are medical…
Chest injuries
Chapter 25. Chest injuries Deaths following injuries to the thorax usually result from a lack of oxygen (hypoxia) or lack of circulating blood volume (hypovolaemia). Injuries may be blunt or…
Aeromedical evacuation
Chapter 48. Aeromedical evacuation Medical aviation is now extremely sophisticated and can be conveniently divided into primary casualty evacuation and secondary patient transfer. The expertise and equipment required for each…
