Regional Emergency Medical Advisory Committee of New York City
Prehospital Basic Life Support Protocols
Copyright January 1996 (8/96)

426 SOFT TISSUE INJURIES

NOTE:INFECTION CONTROL PRECAUTIONS MUST BE FOLLOWED WHEN MAKING CONTACT WITH THE PATIENT'S BLOOD OR SECRETIONS.

Monitor the airway.

Administer oxygen, if appropriate.

Control external bleeding.

Assess for shock and treat, if appropriate. (See Protocol #415.)

For Special Considerations, see below.

Transport to the nearest appropriate hospital according to the patient's condition. (See Appendices F and H.)

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

IMPALED OBJECT

Do NOT remove the object.

Support and secure the object with bulky dressings.

NOTE:IF THE OBJECT IS IMPALED IN THE CHEEK AND IS COMPRIMISING THE AIRWAY, REMOVE IT AND BANDAGE BOTH SIDES OF THE WOUND.


AMPUTATED OR COMPLETELY AVULSED TISSUE

Wrap the part in saline-moistened, sterile dressings.

Do NOT soak.

Place the part into a plastic bag and seal the bag.

Label the bag with the patient's name and time of injury.

Place the bag in ice, or a cooled area.

Protect the stump with a saline-moistened, sterile dressing.

NOTE:AVOID FREEZING THE TISSUE. DO NOT USE DRY ICE.

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