Emergency Scenario 780_f3

Location Information

Full Location:

Hafnarbraut 17, 780 Höfn, single-story residential house. Main entrance faces the street, no security features. Gravel driveway, easy access for emergency vehicles. Current conditions: 7°C, light rain, moderate visibility. GPS coordinates: 64.2516° N, 15.2082° W. Nearest landmark: Höfn Harbour.

Municipality: Höfn

Postal Code: 780

Emergency Details

Type: Pediatric - Febrile Seizure

Priority Level: F3

Response Time Goal: Standard (30-60 minutes)

Description:

3-year-old male, experiencing a seizure at home. Primary symptoms: Generalized tonic-clonic seizure lasting approximately 2 minutes, now post-ictal. Secondary symptoms: Fever of 39.1°C (102.4°F) measured rectally prior to seizure, lethargy, slight confusion. Patient is now responsive but drowsy. No known allergies. Medical history: No significant past medical history, one previous febrile seizure 6 months ago. Last meal was a light snack at 18:00.

History of Events

Timeline:
1915 hours: Child began to feel warm and irritable.
1920 hours: Rectal temperature measured at 39.1°C (102.4°F).
1925 hours: Child experienced a generalized tonic-clonic seizure lasting approximately 2 minutes.
1927 hours: Seizure ceased spontaneously, child now post-ictal and drowsy.
1928 hours: Mother called emergency services.
1930 hours: Current time, child responsive but lethargic.

Prior Events: Child had one previous febrile seizure 6 months ago. No recent illnesses or injuries. No known allergies. Last medical check-up 2 months ago, routine follow-up. Child lives with parents.

Diagnostics

Initial Assessment

Initial Impression: Febrile Seizure, Post-ictal
Justification for F3 Classification:
- Febrile seizure is a time-sensitive condition, but typically self-limiting and not immediately life-threatening.
- Child is post-ictal and responsive, indicating the seizure has resolved.
- History of previous febrile seizure suggests a predisposition.

Differential Diagnoses:
1. Febrile Seizure (most likely)
2. Epilepsy (less likely given history and age)
3. Meningitis (less likely given no neck stiffness or altered mental status)
4. Hypoglycemia (less likely given no history of diabetes or related symptoms)

Required Actions:
- Dispatch of ground EMS with BLS capabilities
- Monitoring of vital signs and neurological status
- Supportive care during transport to nearest hospital

Final Diagnosis

Final Diagnosis: Febrile Seizure, Simple
Key Findings:
- Full neurological examination in the emergency department showed no focal deficits.
- Blood glucose was within normal limits.
- No signs of infection or other underlying causes were identified.
- Patient's temperature remained elevated at 38.8°C (101.8°F) rectally.

Outcome validated F3 priority assignment. Observation and supportive care were the main interventions. No further seizures occurred during observation. Patient was discharged home with parental education on fever management.

Learning Points:
1. F3 classification was appropriate given the self-limiting nature of the seizure and the child's post-ictal recovery.
2. Initial assessment accurately identified the most likely cause as a febrile seizure.
3. Parental education on fever management is crucial to prevent recurrence.

Emergency Call Transcript

Dispatcher Emergency services, what's your emergency?

Caller My son, he just had a seizure! He was shaking all over.

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

Caller It's Hafnarbraut 17 in Höfn.

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

Caller He was really hot, and then he started shaking. It lasted for a couple of minutes. He's still sleepy.

Dispatcher How old is your son?

Caller He is three years old.

Dispatcher Has he had seizures before?

Caller Yes, he had one before about six months ago.

Dispatcher Okay, the ambulance is on its way. Is he breathing okay now?

Caller Yes, he's breathing, just very tired.

Dispatcher Okay, don't try to move him. Stay with him and keep him calm. The ambulance will be there soon.

Caller Okay, thank you. I'll wait here with him.