Emergency Scenario 735_f1

Location Information

Full Location:

Hafnargata 14, 735 Norðfjörður. Single-story wooden residential house built in 1965. Main entrance faces the street, no security features. Driveway access available. Current conditions: 8°C, overcast, light wind, good visibility. GPS coordinates: 65.1952° N, 13.9948° W. Nearest landmark: Norðfjörður harbor.

Municipality: Norðfjörður

Postal Code: 735

Emergency Details

Type: Cardiac Arrest

Priority Level: F1

Response Time Goal: Immediate (0-15 minutes)

Description:

68-year-old male, found unresponsive. Primary symptoms: Unresponsive, no breathing, no pulse. Secondary symptoms: None noted by caller. Patient is lying on the living room floor. Medical history: History of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. Medications: Amlodipine 10mg daily, Atorvastatin 20mg daily. No known allergies. Last meal was dinner at 19:00 last night.

History of Events

Timeline:
0800 hours: Patient was last seen alive, reported to be feeling well.
0815 hours: Patient's wife found him unresponsive on the living room floor.
0816 hours: Wife called neighbor for help.
0817 hours: Neighbor arrived, confirmed unresponsiveness, no breathing, and no pulse.
0818 hours: Neighbor called emergency services.
0819 hours: Current time, patient still unresponsive, no breathing, no pulse.

Prior Events: Patient has been generally healthy, but has a history of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. He has been compliant with his medication regimen. No recent illnesses or injuries. Last medical check-up 6 months ago, routine follow-up. Patient lives with his wife, who is distraught.

Diagnostics

Initial Assessment

Initial Impression: Cardiac Arrest
Justification for F1 Classification:
- Patient is unresponsive, not breathing, and pulseless, indicating a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate intervention.
- Time-sensitive condition with high mortality if not addressed within minutes.

Differential Diagnoses:
1. Cardiac Arrest (most likely given the presentation)
2. Severe Hypoglycemia (less likely without known history of diabetes)
3. Massive Stroke (less likely given the sudden onset and lack of specific stroke symptoms)
4. Pulmonary Embolism (possible, but less likely given no reported chest pain or shortness of breath prior to collapse)

Required Actions:
- Dispatch of ground EMS with ALS capabilities
- Dispatch of fire department first responders if available and closer
- Immediate initiation of CPR by caller
- Early hospital notification to prepare for resuscitation efforts
- Rapid transport to the nearest hospital with cardiac care facilities

Final Diagnosis

Final Diagnosis: Ventricular Fibrillation Cardiac Arrest
Key Findings:
- EMS arrived to find patient in cardiac arrest, confirmed with ECG showing Ventricular Fibrillation.
- CPR was initiated immediately, and defibrillation was successful on the second attempt.
- Patient regained spontaneous circulation and breathing.
- Subsequent investigation revealed underlying coronary artery disease.

Outcome validated F1 priority assignment. Rapid dispatch, immediate CPR, and early defibrillation were essential for survival. Patient was transported to the hospital for further cardiac care.

Learning Points:
1. F1 classification was appropriate due to the immediate threat to life.
2. Early CPR and defibrillation are critical for survival in cardiac arrest.
3. Dispatch training should emphasize the importance of guiding callers through CPR instructions immediately for unresponsive patients with no breathing.

Emergency Call Transcript

Dispatcher Emergency services, what's your emergency?

Caller My neighbor is not breathing! He's on the floor and doesn't respond.

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

Caller It's Hafnargata 14, in Norðfjörður.

Dispatcher Help is on its way. Can you tell me what happened?

Caller His wife found him on the floor. He is not moving and not breathing. I checked, he has no pulse.

Dispatcher Is he awake and talking to you?

Caller No, he is completely unresponsive. I don't think he's breathing.

Dispatcher Okay, I need you to start CPR. Do you know how to do chest compressions?

Caller I think so... I saw it on TV. I'll try.

Dispatcher Okay, put your hands in the center of his chest and push hard and fast. I will stay on the line and guide you. The ambulance is on its way.

Caller Okay, I'm doing it. It's hard, I hope it helps. His wife is crying.

Dispatcher Keep going, you're doing great. The ambulance will be there soon. Just keep pushing hard and fast.