Question

you are an event medic at a music festival and are finishing a shift, ready for handover to the next team. you have a 24 year old female patient in your care who has been receiving treatment for heat stress. what form of communication would you use to provide this information to the next medic taking over your shift?

Answer 1

A structured verbal handover using a model like SBAR is essential when transferring care of a patient with heat stress to the next medic. This should include the situation, background, assessment, and recommendations. Additionally, up-to-date documentation is important for continuity of care.

Step-by-step explanation:

As an event medic at a music festival handing over a patient receiving treatment for heat stress to the next team, effective communication is critical. It is essential to use a structured verbal handover, such as the SBAR (Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation) model or a similar standardized protocol. This ensures that pertinent information about the patient's condition, the treatment provided, and any ongoing care requirements are conveyed clearly to the incoming medic.

For example, the handover could include:

• The current situation with the patient's vitals and symptoms.
• The background of the patient's time at the event, including how long she has been in the medical tent and any relevant medical history disclosed.
• An assessment of the patient's response to the treatment administered during your shift.
• Recommendations for ongoing monitoring, potential escalation of care, or any specific instructions for the incoming team.

Documentation of the patient's care in the medical log, if available, should also be up to date to complement the verbal handover. This attention to communication and detail during handover helps to ensure continuity of care and patient safety.