PBS - Activity 3.2.4 – Crisis Communication

Highest priority of care; has an immediate need for care because they may not survive without it

• Triage

• Emergent

• Urgent

• Non-urgent

• Semi-urgent

The sorting and prioritization of patients based on the urgency of their need for care

• Triage

• Emergent

• Urgent

• Non-urgent

• Semi-urgent

Lowest priority; minor conditions which are not time-sensitive and care is not needed immediately

• Triage

• Emergent

• Urgent

• Non-urgent

• Semi-urgent

Care is needed but can wait if other higher priority patients exist

• Triage

• Emergent

• Urgent

• Non-urgent

• Semi-urgent

Care needed quickly, but can be delayed temporarily

• Triage

• Emergent

• Urgent

• Non-urgent

• Semi-urgent

Who makes decisions around the urgency of a patient’s need for care, assigning each patient with a triage category

• The on-call ER doctor

• The hospital administrator

• A triage nurse

• The EMT who brings in the patient

"Difficulty breathing, obstructed airways; Chest pains &/or symptoms of heart attack or stroke; Severe injury or burns; Severe Bleeding; Unconscious; SpO2 <90%; Resp rate <10 or >30 bpm; Heart rate <40 or >120; BP (systolic) <90 or >180 mmHg and/or BP (diastolic) >120; Temperature <90 or >104 °F"

A patient with any of these would be considered

• Emergent

• Urgent

• Semi-Urgent

• Non-Urgent

"Mild bleeding; May have vital signs which are slightly abnormal or normal"

A patient with any of these would be considered

• Emergent

• Urgent

• Semi-Urgent

• Non-Urgent

Infant accidentally consumed an unknown quantity of aspirin. Vital signs: Low blood pressure and falling; heart rate increasing; Sp02 is falling.

A patient with any of these would probably be considered

• Emergent

• Urgent

• Semi-Urgent

• Non-Urgent

Patient is experiences abnormal fatigue. Recently lost 5lbs; vital signs are normal.

A patient with any of these would probably be considered

• Emergent

• Urgent

• Semi-Urgent

• Non-Urgent