New Mexico Administrative Code › Title 7 - HEALTH › Chapter 27 - EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES › Part 7 - TRAUMA CARE SYSTEM › Section 7.27.7.12 - APPENDIX A TRAUMA PATIENT TRIAGE CRITERIA GUIDELINES

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 13, July 16, 2024
A.
Trauma Patient Triage Criteria
				Guidelines.
The following guidelines were developed by the TAC standards
				committee and presented to the TAC for review in January 2001. It was
				subsequently brought before the JOE (Joint Organization on EMS Education) and
				the EMS Medical Direction Committee for discussion.
(1) purpose: To present for consideration by
				the TAC a standardized framework of Statewide Prehospital Trauma Triage
				Guidelines for use by all levels of EMS providers using clear text
				communications. This criteria does not affect the ability of a local area to
				further define specific triage criteria. Rather it establishes a common
				language for EMS to communicate regarding patient condition. It is not meant to
				replace local area triage, treatment and transport guidelines.
(2) history: In the early 1990's EMS training
				programs adopted the definitions of critical patients as defined by University
				Hospital, function as the only Level I Trauma Center in the state. Level I, II
				and III criteria for trauma patients were subsequently taught to all New Mexico
				EMS providers. As local triage criteria changed and was further defined, the
				changes were not reflected in EMS training statewide.
(3) goal of this guideline:
(a) create a statewide minimum trauma triage
				criteria guideline for all EMS personnel.
(b) assist regional trauma centers with
				educating EMS personnel to better understand trauma patient triage
				criteria.
(c) use as a tool by
				non-designated facilities to better understand trauma patient triage
				criteria.
(d) adopt (and further
				clarify as appropriate) within area existing trauma plan(s) in conjunction with
				ReTrAC's.
(4) approval
				will require review and approval by the ReTrAC's, Statewide Trauma Advisory
				Committee, EMS Medical Direction Committee and the Joint Organization on EMS
				Education (JOE).
(5)
				impact:redefining of learning objectives, scenarios, test questions and
				educational related information for all levels of EMS providers. Current EMS
				providers will be taught the revised criteria during the 2001-2002 EMS
				refresher cycles. New EMS providers will begin to be taught the revised
				criteria effective July 2001.
(6)
				target implementation date: July 1, 2002.
(7) patient status: based on information
				obtained by physical examination and history, patients are classified according
				to stability as follows:
(a) stable - patient
				is stable, with no apparent risk of developing a life threatening or disabling
				condition. Non-emergent transport is appropriate.
(b) serious - patient is at moderate risk of
				developing a life threatening or disabling condition. Most circumstances will
				merit non-emergent transport.
(c)
				Critical - Patient has a severe & acute life threatening or disabling
				condition. Immediate intervention is required. Emergency transport at EMS
				providers' discretion. Examples include penetrating and/or blunt trauma
				injuries to chest and/or abdominopelvic cavity with unstable vitals, or if
				patient presents with vitals indicating they are likely to
				deteriorate
(8)
				transport destination decisions
(a) stable
				status patients will be transported to the nearest appropriate facility of the
				patient's choice only when that destination does not compromise the patient and
				the destination location does not result in the transport vehicle moving
				outside of the established EMS response area. If the patient is a minor,
				incapable of making an informed decision, incarcerated, or subject to the
				guardianship of another, Medical Control will be contacted when the decision of
				the responsible party, is not, in the EMS provider's opinion, in the best
				interest of the patient.
(b)
				serious status patients will be transported to the closest appropriate facility
				within the transporting vehicle's service area. The destination decision
				process will fall on the EMS providers and in some cases Medical
				Control.
(c) critical status
				patients will be transported to the most readily accessible facility that is
				staffed and equipped to provide initial stabilization care upon arrival. The
				destination decision process will fall on the EMS providers and in some cases
				Medical Control.