Red flags (Adult) Flashcards
(15 cards)
What are the Adult Red Flags
What are the adult yellow flags
What are the two primary care objectives of this guideline?
Accurately assess patient safety risk
Transport patients who are at risk of deterioration or adverse outcome
Focuses on patient safety and appropriate transport.
What is the intended patient group for this guideline?
All patients aged ≥ 16 years.
This includes adults and older adolescents.
What four categories of patient safety risk should be considered?
- Diagnostic error
- Deterioration
- Social/environmental risk
- Access to care
These categories help in identifying potential risks to patient safety.
Name at least five factors that contribute to diagnostic error.
- Diagnostic uncertainty
- Bias and human factors
- Elderly or frail
- Communication difficulties (e.g. NESB, non-verbal, dementia)
- Drug/alcohol intoxication
- History of mental health issues
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background
- Multiple comorbidities or ≥ 5 medications
- Rare medical condition
- Highly emotive scene
These factors can complicate accurate diagnosis.
What are some risk factors that suggest a patient is at risk of clinical deterioration?
- Expected clinical course/trajectory
- Borderline vital signs
- History of falls, stroke, TIA, AF, anticoagulation
- Failure to respond to community-based treatment
Identifying these factors is crucial for timely intervention.
What social or environmental factors can influence patient safety risk?
- Risks to patient safety
- Poor health literacy
- Inadequate shelter or warmth
These factors can affect a patient’s overall health and safety.
What access issues may affect a patient’s ability to seek care if not transported?
- Inability to self-access medical help
- Inability to access necessary health services
Access to care is critical for timely treatment.
What vital sign abnormalities are Red Flags requiring mandatory transport?
- HR > 120 bpm
- RR > 30 bpm
- SBP < 90 mmHg
- SpO₂ < 90% (unless chronic hypoxaemia)
- GCS < 13
These indicators suggest severe patient conditions requiring urgent care.
Name at least five specific conditions that are Red Flags.
- Stridor
- First seizure
- Anaphylaxis (including resolved or post-adrenaline)
- Acute coronary syndrome
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Primary obstetric issue
- Stroke/TIA
- Sudden onset headache
- Unable to walk (when usually able)
- Post-tonsillectomy bleeding (any amount up to 14 days)
Recognizing these conditions is vital for emergency response.
What must be arranged if a Yellow Flag is present but hospital transport is not required?
Mandate medical review within 2 hours via:
* VED Ambulance Referral
* Emergency Department self-presentation
* GP (if timely appointment available)
Ensures that patients receive necessary follow-up care.
Name some Yellow Flag criteria.
- Ongoing patient/carer concern
- Infection not responding to oral antibiotics
- Immunocompromised with suspected infection
- Recent surgery (<14 days)
- Significant unexplained pain (≥ 5)
- Syncope (normal vitals and ECG)
- Abdominal pain
Identifying these criteria helps in determining the urgency of care.
What else must be confirmed before a Yellow Flag patient is left at home?
- Patient can access care (hospital/GP)
- Has been read the Referral Advice Script
Ensures that patients have a plan for follow-up care.
If no red or yellow flags are present, what is the recommendation?
- Consider the patient suitable for non-transport
- Encourage follow-up with GP within 48 hours
This approach promotes patient safety while allowing for outpatient management.
