Similarity between EMS assessment and nursing assessment?

[doc_Huffman]

I kinda froze up today with one of our instructors whilst doing a quick assessment one them. I.E. I got focused on the patients chief complaint after I introduced myself, ID'd patient, did a quick A&O assessment, listened to lungs and heart, then noticed PT was holding their abdomen, and I went with the EMS OPQRST for pain assessment, and then just got stuck trying to figure out the problem. My question is, how can I transfer the flow of an EMS assessment, which I have done for years now into the world of nursing, and not miss vital things? I have been a medic for the military for 5 years and have done civilian fire for one. Anyone have any experience transferring over into the realm of nursing from the pre-hospital side that has some insight?

[Wuzzie]

I do both. You have to remember that the assessments are actually very different. The EMS assessment is a focused assessment (look that up) while a true nursing assessment is head-to-toe which assesses every body system whether related to the diagnosis or not. About the only time a focused assessment is used by nurses is in the ED (maybe the OR). Unfortunately you really can't apply DCAP-BTLS, OPQRST OR SAMPLE for regular assessments and trying to make it work will only confuse you more. Sort of a round peg square hole kind of thing. The more you do them the easier they get.

[SouthpawRN]

I still use PQRST and modified it to the OLD CARTS one that is common for nursing, but I could never remember that one. You are looking for more subtle things with a nursing head to toe and also changes and trends over time, which are often less obvious than what you get in EMS. Your EMS assessment works well in ER where you are using focused assessments.