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Patients Under The Influence

Patients Under The Influence. Temple College EMS Professions. Incidence. Alcohol, drugs involved in: 50% of all motor vehicle collisions 50% of all homicides. Roughly half of all adult trauma patients you care for will be drunk, stoned, or high!. Assessment. Alterations in:

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Patients Under The Influence

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  1. Patients Under The Influence Temple College EMS Professions

  2. Incidence • Alcohol, drugs involved in: • 50% of all motor vehicle collisions • 50% of all homicides Roughly half of all adult trauma patients you care for will be drunk, stoned, or high!

  3. Assessment • Alterations in: • Level of consciousness • Pupil responses • Vital signs • Pain perception • Decreased reliability of history • Decreased cooperation

  4. Assessment The patient is NEVER “just drunk!”

  5. Patient Interaction The EMT frequently determines whether patient is cooperative or uncooperative!

  6. Patient Interaction • Positive, nonjudgmental • Identify yourself • Ask permission to make physical contact • Orient, reorient as needed • Address with respect • Avoid terms like “bub” or “honey”

  7. Patient Interaction • Consider your body language, voice tone • Remember you’re a caregiver, not a cop • Acknowledge patient concerns, feelings • Be very clear about what you need, expect patients to do

  8. Patient Interaction • History-taking may require closed-ended (yes-no) rather than open-ended questions • Discretely confirm history with family, friends, bystanders

  9. Uncooperative Patients • Preplan management protocols with law enforcement agencies • Remember, this population is high risk for: • Hepatitis B • Hepatitis C • HIV

  10. The patient is NEVER “just drunk!” Err on side of caution with intoxicated patients.

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