Emergency Scenario 700_f2

Location Information

Full Location:

Fjallabyggð 3, 700 Egilsstaðir, Emergency Department at the local health clinic. Single-story building with multiple access points, automatic doors at the main entrance. Parking lot in front of the building. Standard medical facility with emergency and treatment rooms. Current conditions: 8°C, clear skies, good visibility. GPS coordinates: 65.2678° N, 14.3945° W. Nearest landmark: Egilsstaðir Airport.

Municipality: Egilsstaðir

Postal Code: 700

Emergency Details

Type: Burn Patient Transfer

Priority Level: F2

Response Time Goal: Urgent (15-30 minutes)

Description:

28-year-old male, severe burns sustained in a house fire. Primary symptoms: Extensive partial-thickness burns to the face, neck, chest, and upper extremities. Patient stable but requires transfer to a specialized burn unit. Secondary symptoms: Moderate pain, mild respiratory distress, but no signs of airway compromise. Patient is alert and oriented. Medical history: No known allergies, no chronic conditions. Medications: Currently on intravenous fluids and analgesics. Last meal was light breakfast at 07:00.

History of Events

Timeline:
0800 hours: Patient was involved in a house fire, sustaining significant burns
0810 hours: Local fire department arrived on scene and rescued the patient
0815 hours: Patient arrived at the local health clinic and was stabilized
0820 hours: Initial assessment of burns was completed, transfer required
0825 hours: Current time, patient awaiting transfer to burn unit in Reykjavik

Prior Events: Patient had no prior burn incidents. No recent illnesses or injuries. Patient works as a mechanic and lives alone. Initial fire was caused by an electrical fault.

Diagnostics

Initial Assessment

Initial Impression: Extensive Partial-Thickness Burns, Requiring Transfer
Justification for F2 Classification:
- Significant burn surface area requiring specialized care in a burn unit
- Potential for respiratory complications and infection
- Time-sensitive condition requiring prompt transfer

Differential Diagnoses:
1. Partial-Thickness Burns (Confirmed)
2. Full-Thickness Burns (Less likely given initial assessment)
3. Inhalation Injury (Possible, but not currently apparent)
4. Hypovolemic Shock (Risk, but patient currently stable)

Required Actions:
- Dispatch of ground EMS with ALS capabilities for interfacility transfer
- Continuous monitoring of vital signs during transfer
- Pain management protocols to be continued
- Preparation for transport to the nearest specialized burn unit

Final Diagnosis

Final Diagnosis: Partial-Thickness Burns (25% TBSA), No Inhalation Injury
Key Findings:
- Detailed assessment at the burn unit confirmed partial-thickness burns across 25% of the total body surface area (TBSA)
- No signs of inhalation injury were detected during bronchoscopy
- Patient's respiratory status remained stable during the transfer

Outcome validated F2 priority assignment. Rapid transfer and pain management were crucial. Patient was admitted to the burn unit and is undergoing treatment.

Learning Points:
1. F2 classification appropriate due to the need for specialized burn care
2. Initial assessment accurately identified the burn extent and need for transfer
3. Continuous monitoring and pain management during transfer were vital to patient stability

Emergency Call Transcript

Dispatcher Emergency services, what's your emergency?

Caller This is Hildur Jónsdóttir from the health clinic in Egilsstaðir. We need an urgent transfer for a burn patient.

Dispatcher Okay, please tell me more about the patient.

Caller He's a 28-year-old male with extensive burns from a house fire. He's stable now, but needs to go to a burn unit.

Dispatcher Can you describe the extent of the burns?

Caller They're partial-thickness burns on his face, neck, chest, and arms. Roughly 25% of his body.

Dispatcher Is he having any difficulty breathing?

Caller He's breathing, but a little labored. No signs of airway compromise though. We have him on oxygen.

Dispatcher Okay, I'm dispatching an ambulance for interfacility transfer. We will be there as soon as possible. Do you have him on IV fluids and pain meds?

Caller Yes, he's on IV fluids and analgesics. We're ready for the transfer.

Dispatcher Understood, the ambulance is en route. Keep monitoring him and please let us know if anything changes.