Emergency Scenario 700_f1

Location Information

Full Location:

Miðgarður 1, 700 Egilsstaðir. Single-story detached house, built in 1985. Main entrance via front door, no security system. Parking available in driveway. Current conditions: 8°C, clear skies, good visibility. GPS coordinates: 65.2650° N, 14.3940° W. Nearest landmark: Egilsstaðir Airport.

Municipality: Egilsstaðir

Postal Code: 700

Emergency Details

Type: Cardiac Arrest

Priority Level: F1

Response Time Goal: Immediate (0-15 minutes)

Description:

65-year-old male, found unresponsive at home. Primary symptoms: Unresponsive, not breathing, no pulse. Secondary symptoms: None reported. Patient found on living room floor. Medical history: History of hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Medications: Atorvastatin 20mg daily, Lisinopril 10mg daily. No known allergies. Last meal was light lunch at 13:00.

History of Events

Timeline:
1400 hours: Patient was seen by his wife watching TV, appeared normal
1415 hours: Wife went to check on him and found him unresponsive on the floor
1416 hours: Wife called emergency services
1418 hours: Current time, patient still unresponsive, not breathing, no pulse

Prior Events: Patient reported mild chest discomfort occasionally over the past week, which he attributed to indigestion. No prior cardiac events or hospitalizations. Last medical check-up 6 months ago, routine follow-up.

Diagnostics

Initial Assessment

Initial Impression: Cardiac Arrest
Justification for F1 Classification:
- Patient is unresponsive, not breathing, and pulseless, indicating a life-threatening emergency
- Immediate intervention is required to restore cardiac function and prevent irreversible damage
- Time-critical condition requiring immediate dispatch of ALS units and early hospital notification

Differential Diagnoses:
1. Cardiac Arrest (most likely)
2. Respiratory Arrest (less likely given no reported breathing)
3. Severe Hypoglycemia (less likely, no history of diabetes)
4. Stroke (less likely given sudden onset of unresponsiveness and lack of breathing)

Required Actions:
- Immediate dispatch of ground EMS with ALS capabilities
- Dispatch of first responders with AED if available
- CPR instructions to caller
- Preparation for advanced life support interventions

Final Diagnosis

Final Diagnosis: Ventricular Fibrillation Cardiac Arrest
Key Findings:
- Initial rhythm was ventricular fibrillation, converted to sinus rhythm after successful defibrillation
- Patient regained spontaneous circulation and breathing after multiple rounds of ACLS interventions
- No other underlying conditions were immediately identified

Outcome validated F1 priority assignment. Rapid dispatch and defibrillation were critical for patient survival.

Learning Points:
1. F1 classification was appropriate due to the life-threatening nature of the emergency
2. Early CPR and defibrillation are crucial for survival in cardiac arrest
3. Dispatch protocols for cardiac arrest were effectively followed

Emergency Call Transcript

Dispatcher Emergency services, what's your emergency?

Caller My husband! He's not responding! He's on the floor!

Dispatcher Okay, I'm sending help. What is your address?

Caller It's Miðgarður 1, 700 Egilsstaðir

Dispatcher Help is on its way. Is he breathing?

Caller No! I don't think so! He's not moving! He's just lying there!

Dispatcher Okay, I need you to check if he has a pulse. Can you feel a pulse on his neck or wrist?

Caller (Sounds panicked and crying) I can't feel anything! Oh my god! What do I do?

Dispatcher Okay, stay calm. I'm going to help you. We need to start chest compressions. Can you do that?

Caller Chest compressions? I...I don't know how!

Dispatcher I will guide you. Put the heel of one hand on the center of his chest, then put your other hand on top. Push hard and fast, about two inches deep. Do it to the beat of the song 'Stayin' Alive'. I'll stay on the line with you until help arrives.

Caller (Sounds distressed and starts compressions) Okay, I'm trying... I'm pushing... is this right? How long do I do this?

Dispatcher That's good, keep going, do not stop until the ambulance arrives. They are on their way. How old is your husband and does he have any medical conditions?

Caller He's 65. He has high blood pressure and cholesterol. He takes pills for it. Oh please, hurry!