Helpful Tips

TIP 1

• Normal Saline IV Flush

  • Instead of drawing flush from a vial with a needle, spike a bag of IV fluids with a short primary set that has needless ports that you can quickly access. Hang from ceiling of vehicle with a zip tie.

TIP 2

• Take an AMPLE history

TIP 3

• Apply tape to the forehead of the patient and document known medication allergies and tourniquet time (TT) (RLE, RUE, LLE, LUE).

  • If the patient loses consciousness or paperwork is lost, this ensures this critical information is still available to receiving medical staff.

TIP 4

• DO NOT USE ANY ABBREVIATIONS.

  • Use simple easy to understand plain English with no slang to best overcome any existing language barriers.

TIP 5

• Give strong consideration to prophylactically applying a tourniquet to the affected limb without tightening in all but the most minor cases of hemorrhage. Situations can change rapidly and being prepared for the unexpected is the safest practice.