As a paramedic, there are many sources of stress: information overload, emotions, nervousness and that™s before you even clock into work! So, how do you manage all of those elements and still successfully treat your patient?The key is to remember these simple guidelines:

BLS before ALS: Remember, the basics are the foundation for everything else. What do we call a perfectly packaged trauma patient? A patient with multiple IVs, bandaging, splinting, and C-spine precautions; who ultimately died from mismanagement of the BLS airway? The answer: a mismanaged patient.

Try answering these questions when treating a patient:

• Is the airway secure?
• Is breathing adequate and oxygenation effective?
• How is their circulatory system?

Patient assessment: The cornerstone of a great paramedic is not about the œcool things we do; it™s about the ability to provide a consistent, solid patient exam. After all, we can all do the same skills, the importance lies in the basics every time. So, when you're feeling frustrated, just remember to start with the ABCs and a thorough exam.

No additional resources available for this #SWORBHPTip.