1. Initial Assessment
Patient Presentation
- Vital signs monitoring
- Level of consciousness
- Airway assessment
- Bleeding evaluation
- Pain assessment (0-10 scale)
Emergency Categories
-
Immediate Life-Threatening
- Respiratory distress
- Severe hemorrhage
- Anaphylaxis
-
Urgent
- Hematoma formation
- Flap compromise
- Severe infection signs
-
Non-Urgent
- Minor bleeding
- Moderate pain
- Dressing concerns
2. Emergency Response Protocol
Equipment Requirements
- Emergency cart with defibrillator
- Airway management supplies
- Emergency medications
- Suture kits
- Sterile instruments
Staff Responsibilities
Lead Surgeon:
- Direct emergency response
- Perform necessary procedures
- Communicate with emergency services
Nursing Staff:
- Monitor vital signs
- Assist with procedures
- Document all interventions
3. Specific Emergency Procedures
Post-operative Hemorrhage
- Apply direct pressure
- Assess vital signs
- Establish IV access
- Prepare OR if needed
Respiratory Emergency
- Position patient appropriately
- Administer oxygen
- Prepare for intubation if necessary
- Contact anesthesia support
Flap Compromise
- Remove restrictive dressings
- Assess capillary refill
- Check doppler signals
- Prepare for immediate revision
4. Documentation Requirements
- Time of incident
- Vital signs
- Interventions performed
- Medications administered
- Staff involved
- Patient outcome
5. Emergency Contact Information
[Insert practice-specific contacts]
- Lead surgeon on call
- Backup surgeon
- Emergency services
- Transfer facility
6. Follow-up Protocol
- Patient monitoring schedule
- Documentation review
- Team debriefing
- Quality improvement assessment