Emergency Scenario 780_f2

Location Information

Full Location:

Hafnarbraut 14, 780 Höfn, Ground floor apartment. Two-story wooden residential building constructed in 1960. Main entrance is street level, no steps. No elevator. Street parking available. Building has basic smoke detectors. Current conditions: 8°C, overcast, moderate visibility. GPS coordinates: 64.2506° N, 15.2082° W. Nearest landmark: Höfn Harbour.

Municipality: Höfn

Postal Code: 780

Emergency Details

Type: Burn Patient Transfer

Priority Level: F2

Response Time Goal: Urgent (15-30 minutes)

Description:

35-year-old male, sustained significant burns. Primary symptoms: Full thickness burns to 18% of body surface area, affecting right arm, chest and neck. Patient is conscious and alert, but in severe pain. Secondary symptoms: Moderate respiratory distress, elevated heart rate, signs of shock. Patient is at a local health clinic awaiting transfer. Medical history: No significant medical history, no known allergies. Medications: Morphine 5mg IV administered at clinic. Last meal was a light lunch at 13:00. Incident occurred at 14:30, at a nearby fishing boat. Patient is stable but requires urgent transfer to a specialized burn unit.

History of Events

Timeline:
1430 hours: Patient sustained burns from a flash fire on fishing boat.
1445 hours: Patient arrived at local health clinic in Höfn.
1450 hours: Initial assessment and pain management initiated. Morphine 5mg IV given.
1500 hours: Patient is stable, but requires urgent transfer to a burn center.
1505 hours: Clinic staff called for transfer services.
1510 hours: Current time, patient awaiting transfer.

Prior Events: No prior history of burns or similar incidents. Patient reports good health otherwise. No recent illnesses or injuries. Routine medical check-up 6 months ago.

Diagnostics

Initial Assessment

Initial Impression: Full thickness burns, 18% BSA, requiring urgent transfer
Justification for F2 Classification:
- Significant burns requiring specialized care not available locally
- Potential for rapid deterioration due to systemic inflammation and shock
- Time-sensitive condition requiring prompt transfer to burn center

Differential Diagnoses:
1. Full Thickness Burns (confirmed)
2. Inhalation Injury (possible, requires assessment at burn center)
3. Hypovolemic Shock (likely, due to fluid loss from burns)
4. Infection (potential, but not immediate concern)

Required Actions:
- Dispatch of ground ambulance with ALS capabilities for interfacility transfer
- Continuous monitoring of vital signs and respiratory status
- Preparation for fluid resuscitation during transport
- Pre-notification of receiving burn center

Final Diagnosis

Final Diagnosis: Full thickness burns, 18% BSA, with early signs of hypovolemic shock
Key Findings:
- Burn assessment confirmed full thickness burns to right arm, chest, and neck, totaling 18% BSA.
- Patient showed early signs of hypovolemic shock, including tachycardia and decreased urine output.
- No evidence of inhalation injury on initial assessment, but further monitoring required.
- Initial treatment at local clinic included pain management and initiation of IV fluids.

Outcome validated F2 priority assignment. Prompt transfer was essential. Patient received further fluid resuscitation and specialized burn care at the burn center. 

Learning Points:
1. F2 classification appropriate due to the need for specialized burn care and potential complications.
2. Initial assessment accurately identified the extent and severity of the burns.
3. Prompt pain management and fluid resuscitation at the local clinic were critical.

Emergency Call Transcript

Dispatcher Emergency services, what's your emergency?

Caller This is Einar Jónsson from the health clinic in Höfn. We need an urgent transfer for a burn patient.

Dispatcher Okay, I'm initiating a transfer request. Can you provide the patient's details and condition?

Caller The patient is a 35-year-old male. He has full thickness burns on his right arm, chest, and neck, about 18% of his body surface. He is in severe pain.

Dispatcher Is he conscious and alert?

Caller Yes, he's awake and talking, but he's in a lot of pain. We've given him 5mg of morphine IV. He also seems to be having some trouble breathing.

Dispatcher Does he have any known allergies or medical conditions?

Caller No known allergies or significant medical history. He was burned in a flash fire on a fishing boat about an hour ago. We need to get him to a burn center quickly.

Dispatcher Understood. An ambulance with advanced life support is being dispatched. Please continue to monitor his condition and be ready for transfer. What is the exact address of the clinic?

Caller It's Hafnarbraut 14, 780 Höfn. We are on the ground floor. Thank you.