IRL it’s a good idea but generally if you believe they’re in shock, inadequate breath, or are experiencing chest pain, during the primary you’re gonna get them on a NRB anyway
That would depend on the situation and the amount of responders that you have on scene. If you have the additional hands it is always easy to ask one of your partners to grab an SPO2 reading for you without disrupting your primary assessment, so in that case it can be a good idea. If you are alone, I would generally not take the time to obtain an SPO2 at that point. In real life the primary assessment usually takes around 30-60 seconds, so it is accomplished very quickly. In addition to that, we don't want to get caught up in grabbing for our bags or monitor to grab the pulse oximeter and miss major bleeding, or something else that we would find in the circulation part of the ABC's. You will hear the term "treat your patient and not your monitor" very often in EMS, and this is a perfect example of that. When doing your primary assessment there should be signs of respiratory distress or respiratory failure that can be identified that will dictate your treatment regardless of what the SPO2 is. So, your treatment should not usually require the use of an SPO2 reading initially and should be based off of the patients skin signs, work of breathing, etc. You can then obtain an SPO2 reading later to help you narrow down exactly what you should be doing to treat the patient, and to confirm your other findings.
Watched a few videos came across this one probably the most simple , quick but detailed video
Excellent video.
Glad you liked it!
during the abc’s when your assessing breathing, would you recommend getting an SPO2 right away before administering O2
IRL it’s a good idea but generally if you believe they’re in shock, inadequate breath, or are experiencing chest pain, during the primary you’re gonna get them on a NRB anyway
That would depend on the situation and the amount of responders that you have on scene. If you have the additional hands it is always easy to ask one of your partners to grab an SPO2 reading for you without disrupting your primary assessment, so in that case it can be a good idea. If you are alone, I would generally not take the time to obtain an SPO2 at that point. In real life the primary assessment usually takes around 30-60 seconds, so it is accomplished very quickly. In addition to that, we don't want to get caught up in grabbing for our bags or monitor to grab the pulse oximeter and miss major bleeding, or something else that we would find in the circulation part of the ABC's.
You will hear the term "treat your patient and not your monitor" very often in EMS, and this is a perfect example of that. When doing your primary assessment there should be signs of respiratory distress or respiratory failure that can be identified that will dictate your treatment regardless of what the SPO2 is. So, your treatment should not usually require the use of an SPO2 reading initially and should be based off of the patients skin signs, work of breathing, etc. You can then obtain an SPO2 reading later to help you narrow down exactly what you should be doing to treat the patient, and to confirm your other findings.
What is Andrew Shultz doing teaching me patient assessment?? 😂 Jkjk great video, informative as always!
Hahah best comment!! Thanks for watching!!
The goat