Emergency medical responder (EMR)/Critical interventions

What is a critical intervention

During the EMR primary survey certain circumstances may be discovered that will require immediate correction to prevent the patient’s condition from deteriorating. The only time a primary survey should ever be interrupted is for a critical intervention.

Unsafe environment

Carbon Monoxide or other toxic substances in the air, extreme heat or cold, etc.

Airway/Breathing compromise

Pneumothorax/Hemothorax

• Pneumothorax
• Tension pneumothorax
• Hemothorax
• Hemopneumothorax

Cardiac compromise

Inadequate rate rhythm and/or quality of pulse

• Ventricular fibrillation
• Ventricular tachycardia
• Pulseless electrical activity (PEA)
• Asystole

Shock

• Cardiogenic shock
• Neurogenic shock

Deadly Bleeding

Internal bleeding

• Femur fracture/Bilateral Femur fracture
• Pelvic fracture
• Abdominal distention

Open wound bleeding

• Arterial bleed
• Amputation