Emergency Scenario 600_f3

Location Information

Full Location:

Hlíðarvegur 14, 600 Akureyri, first floor, room 103. Two-story concrete building, built in 1995. Main entrance has a ramp, and automatic doors. No elevator, internal stairs. Parking available. Building equipped with fire alarm system. Current conditions: 7°C, overcast, moderate visibility. GPS coordinates: 65.6763° N, 18.0888° W. Nearest landmark: Akureyri Hospital.

Municipality: Akureyri

Postal Code: 600

Emergency Details

Type: Infectious Disease Transfer

Priority Level: F3

Response Time Goal: Standard (30-60 minutes)

Description:

68-year-old female, confirmed case of influenza A, requiring transfer from Akureyri Hospital to a long-term care facility. Primary symptoms: Persistent cough, low-grade fever (38.1°C), fatigue, and mild shortness of breath. Patient is stable but requires isolation precautions during transport. Medical history: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), hypertension, and type 2 diabetes. Medications: Salbutamol inhaler PRN, Metformin 500mg BID, Lisinopril 10mg daily, and Fluticasone/Salmeterol inhaler BID. Allergies: Penicillin. Last meal was lunch at 12:00.

History of Events

Timeline:
0700 hours: Patient reported increased fatigue and cough
0900 hours: Temperature recorded at 38.1°C
1000 hours: Rapid influenza test positive for influenza A
1200 hours: Physician order for transfer to long-term care facility
1300 hours: Patient is stable, awaiting transport

Prior Events: Patient admitted to Akureyri Hospital 3 days ago for exacerbation of COPD and suspected influenza. Initial symptoms included fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Patient responded well to initial treatment, now stable but requires continued care at a long-term facility. Patient has a history of COPD exacerbations requiring hospitalization. Last medical check-up was 6 months ago, routine follow-up for COPD and diabetes.

Diagnostics

Initial Assessment

Initial Impression: Stable Influenza A Case for Transfer
Justification for F3 Classification:
- Patient is stable, not requiring immediate medical intervention during transport
- Condition is time-sensitive due to infection control and transfer coordination
- No immediate life-threatening symptoms or vital sign instability

Differential Diagnoses:
1. Influenza A (confirmed)
2. COPD Exacerbation (managed, patient is stable)
3. Secondary Bacterial Infection (low probability, no signs of sepsis)

Required Actions:
- Dispatch of BLS ambulance with isolation capabilities
- Ensure proper PPE for transport personnel
- Secure medical records and transfer paperwork
- Transfer to the designated long-term care facility

Final Diagnosis

Final Diagnosis: Stable Influenza A Case with COPD
Key Findings:
- Patient's vital signs remain stable throughout the transfer
- No new symptoms or complications during transport
- Transfer completed without incident

Outcome validated F3 priority assignment. Patient was safely transferred to long-term care facility for continued care. Patient's condition remained stable.

Learning Points:
1. F3 classification appropriate for stable transfers with specific requirements
2. Accurate communication of patient status and needs is crucial
3. Proper infection control measures are paramount for infectious disease transfers

Emergency Call Transcript

Dispatcher Emergency services, what is your emergency?

Caller This is Guðrún calling from Akureyri Hospital. We need a transfer for a patient to a long-term care facility.

Dispatcher Okay, what is the patient's condition and what is the destination?

Caller The patient is a 68-year-old female with confirmed influenza A. She is stable but needs to be transferred to Hlíðarheimili.

Dispatcher Understood. Can you give me the patient's name and social security number?

Caller Her name is Guðrún Jónsdóttir, kennitala is ******-****.

Dispatcher Is she having any difficulty breathing or other symptoms?

Caller She has a cough, low-grade fever, and is fatigued, but she is stable. She has COPD and diabetes, so she is on several medications.

Dispatcher Okay, we will dispatch a transport unit. Please ensure all transfer paperwork and patient information is ready. Do you require any special equipment?

Caller No, just standard transport with isolation precautions. Thank you.

Dispatcher You're welcome. The transport unit will be arriving within the next hour.