Page 16 - EMS Handbook

Heart Attack Protocol
Signs of a heart attack include the following:
a.​ ​Pain, pressure, or discomfort in the chest and upper abdomen
b.​ ​Abnormal pulse or blood pressure, palpitations
c.​ ​Sudden onset of sweating, nausea, or vomiting.
d.​ ​Difficult or labored breathing.
e.​ ​Anxiety.
1.​ ​While doing your initial assessment be mindful of the patient's ​Pulse​ ​and​ ​Blood Pressure​.
a.​ ​Are they having chest pains?
2.​ ​Get them on a stretcher and into the ambulance if you've confirmed the patient is having a
possible heart attack.
3.​ ​In the ambulance hook the patient up to an ​EKG (electrocardiogram​)​ to monitor their heart.
4.​ ​Spray ​Nitro​ ​in their mouth to try and stabilize them.
a.​ ​Monitor their ​Vitals​ ​closely.
b.​ ​If there is ​no change​ after ​5 minutes​, give them ​another dose​ of ​Nitro​.
5.​ ​Get an ​IV​ ​going after administering ​Nitro​. Be sure to get a ​S.A.M.P.L.E History​ before giving
further medication.
6.​ ​If the patient's vitals are still not responding administer the appropriate medicine. See the
Medication List​ in the back of the handbook for more.
7.​ ​If at any point the patient falls unconscious check their ​Pulse​. Begin ​CPR​ ​or attach a ​Lucas
Machine​ if they have none.

Reassessment:
1.​ ​After you have dealt with the patients injuries to the best of your ability it's time to reassess
their ​Vitals​. Recheck the following to see if there is any change from your first reading and make
note of it.
a.​ ​Blood Pressure
b.​ ​Respiration (rate & quality)
c.​ ​Heart rate (rate & quality)
d.​ ​Skin (color, temperature, & condition)
e.​ ​Pupils ​((PERRL (pupils equal, round, reactive to light))
f.​ ​SPO2 (oxygen saturation)
2.​ ​If any ​Vital Signs​ deteriorate take the appropriate steps to try are stabilize the patient.
a.​ ​If they are having trouble breathing think about giving them ​Oxygen​.
b.​ ​If the patient is bleeding thru any bandages redress the wounds.
c.​ ​Consult the ​Medication List​ in the back of the handbook if the patient requires any
further medicine.
3.​ ​Repeat steps as needed until you arrive at the hospital.
a.​ ​Critical​ patients should have ​Vitals​ ​checked ​every 5 minutes​.
b.​ ​Stable patients only need to be rechecked every 15 minutes.