Paramedic Recert EMS Care | 23-MCIT-F3-4111 | Triage & Prioritization for Optimal Care starts with the introduction to the topic.

In Situations where multiple patients require care, effective triage and prioritization become important. This chapter discusses principles of triage, recognizing life threatening situations, prioritization of on scene care, effective allocation of resources, and effective transportation decisions. This is to ensure the best possible outcomes.

The lessons covered are

• Lesson 1: Triage Fundamentals and Hospital Destinations.
• Lesson 2: Trauma Triage in Depth.
• Lesson 3: Vital Signs and Level of Consciousness.
• Lesson 4: Special Considerations in Triage.
• Lesson 5: Medical Triage and Alternative Destinations.

Excerpt from  Paramedic Recert EMS Care | 23-MCIT-F3-4111 | Triage & Prioritization for Optimal Care

For paramedics, understanding hospital classifications is essential to ensure patients are transported to the most appropriate facility for their specific needs. Not all hospitals are created equal. Let us see the different types of hospitals :

• Trauma Centers: They are divided into Levels 1 through 4, provide varying degrees of care for severely injured patients.
  • Level 1 : These centers are the highest level and provide total care, They offer 24-hour, in-house coverage by general surgeons, and prompt availability of care in specialties such as orthopaedic surgery, neurosurgery, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, radiology, internal medicine, plastic surgery, oral and maxillofacial, pediatric, and critical care. They also offer a teaching program for medical residents, as well as ongoing research.
  • Level 2 : These centers are similar to Level I trauma centers but don’t necessarily offer teaching or research. They offer 24-hour immediate coverage by general surgeons, as well as coverage by the specialties of orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, radiology and critical care. Both Levels I and II can treat children and adults.
  • Level 3 : These centers are smaller than Level I and II centers but can provide prompt care to injured patients. They generally provide 24-hour coverage by emergency medicine physicians and the prompt availability of general surgeons and anesthesiologists.
  • Level 4 : These centers provide evaluation, stabilization, and diagnostic capabilities for injured patients, including trauma care and life support before they are transferred to a larger, higher-level trauma center.