Emergency Scenario 780_f3

Location Information

Full Location:

Hafnarbraut 2, 780 Höfn í Hornafirði. Single-story clinic building with a main entrance facing the street and a secondary staff entrance at the rear. Concrete structure, built in 1985. Parking available in front of the building. No security codes or locks. Current conditions: 8°C, overcast, light wind, good visibility. GPS coordinates: 64.2538° N, 15.2083° W. Nearest landmark: Hornafjörður Swimming Pool.

Municipality: Höfn

Postal Code: 780

Emergency Details

Type: Infectious Disease Transfer

Priority Level: F3

Response Time Goal: Standard (30-60 minutes)

Description:

65-year-old female, known MRSA carrier, requires transfer from local clinic to Landspítali National University Hospital in Reykjavik for specialized infectious disease management. Patient is currently stable, afebrile, with no acute symptoms. Transfer is routine, but requires infection control protocols. Patient has a history of recurrent MRSA infections. Patient is alert and oriented.

History of Events

Timeline:
0800 hours: Patient presented to local clinic for routine follow-up of MRSA infection.
0830 hours: Physician determined patient requires transfer for specialized care.
0900 hours: Transfer request made to emergency dispatch.

Prior Events: Patient has a history of recurrent MRSA infections over the past 2 years. She has been treated with multiple courses of antibiotics. No recent hospitalizations other than for MRSA management. Last MRSA culture 1 week ago was positive. No other significant medical history. Patient is a retired teacher, lives alone, is self-sufficient.

Diagnostics

Initial Assessment

Initial Impression: Known MRSA carrier requiring non-emergent transfer for specialized care.
Justification for F3 Classification:
- Patient is stable, afebrile, and without acute symptoms.
- Transfer is for specialized care, not for an acute emergency.
- No immediate life threat, but infection control protocols must be maintained during transfer.

Differential Diagnoses:
1. MRSA carrier status (confirmed)
2. Other infectious diseases (low probability based on current presentation)
3. Acute infection requiring immediate treatment (ruled out based on patient stability)

Required Actions:
- Dispatch of ground ambulance with infection control protocols.
- Coordination with Landspítali for bed availability.
- Ensure proper documentation for transfer.

Final Diagnosis

Final Diagnosis: MRSA carrier requiring specialized infectious disease management.
Key Findings:
- Patient's MRSA status confirmed by recent culture results.
- No signs of acute infection on physical examination.
- Patient's vital signs stable.

Outcome validated F3 priority assignment. Routine transfer protocols were followed. Patient was transferred without complications. 

Learning Points:
1. F3 classification appropriate for stable patients requiring routine transfer.
2. Proper infection control protocols are essential during such transfers.
3. Communication between referring and receiving facilities is critical for smooth transfers.

Emergency Call Transcript

Dispatcher Emergency services, what's your emergency?

Caller This is Guðrún Jónsdóttir from the clinic in Höfn. We need to arrange a transfer for a patient.

Dispatcher Okay, what is the patient's condition and where are they being transferred to?

Caller The patient is a 65-year-old female, a known MRSA carrier. She needs to be transferred to Landspítali in Reykjavik for specialized care. She's stable, no acute symptoms.

Dispatcher Is this an urgent transfer?

Caller No, it's not an emergency. She's stable, but we need to get her to Reykjavik for further management of her MRSA.

Dispatcher Okay, can you provide the patient's name and kennitala?

Caller Her name is Sigríður Eiríksdóttir, kennitala is ******-****.

Dispatcher Alright, we'll arrange a transfer. Please ensure she has all her necessary paperwork and infection control protocols are followed.

Caller Yes, we will. Thank you.