The Patient Assessment Process

Patient assessment is a step-by-step approach to identifying and treating life threats. It begins the moment you arrive at the scene and continues until the patient is handed over to hospital staff.

Key Steps

1. Scene Size-Up: Ensure scene safety, identify hazards, and determine the number of patients.
2. Primary Assessment: Check for immediate life threats—airway, breathing, circulation (the ABCs).
3. History Taking: Use SAMPLE (Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past history, Last oral intake, Events leading up).
4. Secondary Assessment: Conduct a detailed physical exam.
5. Reassessment: Continuously monitor and reassess the patient.

Real-World Applications

Good assessment skills help you spot subtle clues and make fast decisions, which can be the difference between life and death.