Emergency Scenario 900_f2

Location Information

Full Location:

Heimagata 7, 900 Vestmannaeyjar. Two-story residential building, built in 1965, concrete construction. Main entrance at street level, no elevator. Stairwell access to the second floor. Street parking available. No specific security features. Current conditions: 8°C, overcast, good visibility, light wind. GPS coordinates: 63.4417° N, 20.2731° W. Nearest landmark: Vestmannaeyjar Hospital.

Municipality: Vestmannaeyjar

Postal Code: 900

Emergency Details

Type: Burn Patient Transfer

Priority Level: F2

Response Time Goal: Urgent (15-30 minutes)

Description:

52-year-old male patient with partial thickness burns on right forearm and hand, approximately 10% BSA. Patient is stable, conscious, and alert. Reports pain level of 6/10. Burns occurred 2 hours ago from hot cooking oil. Patient received initial wound care at Vestmannaeyjar Health Clinic. Patient requires transfer to Landspítali in Reykjavík for specialized burn care. Medical history: Type 2 diabetes, well-controlled with medication. No known allergies. Medications: Metformin 1000mg twice daily. Last meal was a light lunch at 13:00.

History of Events

Timeline:
15:00 hours: Patient was cooking at home when hot oil splashed onto right forearm and hand, causing burns.
15:05 hours: Patient applied cold water to the burned area and then went to the Vestmannaeyjar Health Clinic.
15:15 hours: Initial wound care was provided, including cleaning and dressing of the burns. Pain medication was administered.
16:45 hours: Current time, patient is stable and awaiting transfer to Landspítali in Reykjavík for further burn care.

Diagnostics

Initial Assessment

Initial Impression: Partial thickness burns, approximately 10% BSA, requiring transfer for specialized burn care.
Justification for F2 Classification:
- Burns require specialized care not available at the local clinic.
- Time-sensitive condition for optimal wound healing and prevention of complications.
- Patient is stable, but transfer is necessary.

Differential Diagnoses:
1. Partial thickness burn (confirmed)
2. Full thickness burn (less likely based on presentation)
3. Inhalation injury (unlikely given circumstances)
4. Chemical burn (ruled out)

Required Actions:
- Dispatch of air ambulance for transfer to Landspítali.
- Pain management protocols continuation.
- Monitoring of vital signs during transfer.
- Preparation for specialized burn care at the receiving hospital.

Final Diagnosis

Final Diagnosis: Partial thickness burns to the right forearm and hand, approximately 10% BSA, with no signs of infection. Patient is stable for transfer to specialized burn unit.
Key Findings:
- Burn assessment confirmed partial thickness burns, no full thickness involvement.
- No signs of infection or systemic involvement.
- Patient’s pain was adequately controlled with pain medication.

Outcome validated F2 priority assignment. Prompt transfer was necessary for specialized burn care and to minimize risk of complications. Patient received appropriate treatment at the burn center. No changes to initial impression.

Learning Points:
1. F2 classification appropriate due to the need for specialized care.
2. Initial assessment accurately identified the severity and extent of the burns.
3. Prompt transfer and ongoing pain management were critical for patient well-being.

Emergency Call Transcript

Dispatcher Emergency services, what's your emergency?

Caller This is Guðrún calling from the Vestmannaeyjar Health Clinic. We have a patient here with burns that need to be transferred to Landspítali.

Dispatcher Okay, can you give me some details about the patient and the burns?

Caller Yes, the patient is a 52-year-old male. He has partial thickness burns on his right forearm and hand, about 10% of his body surface area. It was from hot cooking oil about two hours ago.

Dispatcher Is the patient stable?

Caller Yes, he is stable, conscious, and alert. He has some pain, but it's being managed. We've cleaned and dressed the burns. He has type 2 diabetes but it's well controlled.

Dispatcher What are his current vital signs?

Caller His vital signs are stable. Blood pressure is 130/80, pulse is 80, and he's breathing normally. Oxygen saturation is 98% on room air. He has a pain score of 6 out of 10.

Dispatcher Okay, I'm arranging for an air ambulance transfer to Landspítali. Please keep monitoring him and we will be in touch with an ETA. Is there anything else?

Caller No, that’s all. Thank you for your help.