CASE REVIEW
18 MARCH 2015 | EMSWORLD.com
sibilities, to pro-
vide care for any
further LEOs who
are injured, and to
support the opera-
tions in the build-
ing and surround-
ing areas where
the search is on for
the gunman. A fire
crew is assigned
the responsibility
to mitigate any fire
dangers and any
secondary devices
that are found.
Transportation and Hospital
Course
A total of three victims are transported from
the initial operation. There is the possibility
of further victims as the building is searched
and the manhunt for the perpetrator takes
place. The victims all go to surgery, and two
of the three survive.
The on-scene operations progress and
the building is cleared over the next hours.
There are several dead persons in one of
the courtrooms. No further victims are
identified with serious injuries, and a total
of five additional victims will ultimately be
transported to hospitals for minor illnesses
and injuries.
Organizing Patient Assessment
Many fire and EMS organizations use tri-
age systems that result in patients being
FIGURE 1
For More Information Circle 20 on Reader Service Card
Emergency
Assessment
Patient
1
Patient
2, 3
Patient
4–8
Airway Compromised Open Open
Breathing Compromised Moderate dyspnea Some with rapid breathing
Circulation Poor perfusion Adequate perfusion Good perfusion
Disability Unresponsive except to
painful stimuli
No deficits No compromise
Exposure of
Other Major
Problems
Gunshot wounds in upper
abdomen and face
Gunshot wounds to upper
legs, and one bullet that
struck the chest on one officer
Anxious and scared, a few
with abrasions and contusions
Special
Issues
In need of airway support
and ventilation
Tourniquet on the leg
of one officer
Want to remain with
other employees, not be
transported
Triage Class 1 Patient 2 Patients 5 Patients