What is the first priority in managing a major incident?
Establish a clear command structure utilising a central incident control point
What is the role of the Triage Officer in a major incident?
Prioritise the patients for treatment and transport
What should each ambulance crew decide upon arriving at the scene?
Who will be performing the Operations Manager and Triage Officer roles
What is the purpose of the major incident folder in each vehicle?
Contains important information and protocols for managing incidents
What is the first step in initial triage?
Ask all patients that can walk to move to a specified safe area
What interventions are allowed during primary triage?
- Opening airways (using positioning)
- Compressing life-threatening external bleeding
How should patients be moved after initial triage?
Move patients in the order of their triage priority to a casualty clearing point
What are the triage categories used in primary triage?
- Zero = dead = black or white
- One = immediate life threat = red
- Two = urgent = yellow/orange
- Three and four = delayed appropriate = green
What is performed during secondary triage?
Utilising a primary and secondary survey on all patients in order of their priority
What should be included in the central record of all patients?
- Number allocated to each patient
- Approximate age
- Summary of their injuries
- Status
What is the priority for initiating treatment on patients?
In order of priority as determined by their triage priority following secondary triage
Who should lead the treatment area of the casualty clearing point?
A treatment officer
What should be done with patients who have the greatest chance of survival?
They should be treated first
What should not usually be performed unless there are sufficient personnel?
- CPR
- Rapid sequence intubation
How should patients be transported after secondary triage?
In order of priority as determined by their triage priority
What should be documented for each patient during transport?
Facility destination and transporting vehicle
What consideration should be given for low priority patients?
Concurrent transporting in seated positions if they do not require monitoring
What injuries indicate patients considered almost certain to die?
- Respiratory arrest
- Severe shock with a falling heart rate
- A GCS of 3 with bilateral dilated and unreactive pupils
What is the maximum time for primary triage per patient?
10-15 seconds
What factors should be considered during primary triage?
- Clear evidence of a life-threatening injury
- Ability of the patient to obey commands
- Presence or absence of radial pulse
What is the STEP 123 system used for?
Guide the initial approach in HAZMAT incidents
What should be done if a HAZMAT incident is suspected?
- Stay clear of the area, upwind if possible
- Contact Ambulance Communications
