EMS Protocol of the Week - Chest Injuries (Adult and Pediatric)

Another trauma protocol, which means short and sweet! Regarding chest injuries, CFRs onward will manage ABCs, as well as dress any sucking chest wounds with an occlusive dressing. EMTs will initiate transport. And paramedics will perform needle decompressions on suspected tension pneumothoraces, as described in the attached appendix outlining the procedure. Note that current teachings offer two different locations for decompression: the traditional 2nd intercostal space at the mid-clavicular line, as well as the 5th intercostal space at the anterior axillary line (which is more in line with where you’d place a subsequent large-bore chest tube). Other than that, it’s once again all about safe, rapid transport to an appropriate hospital.

See you all next week for more! www.nycremsco.org and the protocol binder to keep you sated until then.

 Dave