CASE #6 : FIND THE BLEEDING, STOP THE BLEEDING

Critical illness is part of the remit of rural doctors, albeit encountered relatively infrequently – which of course makes it all the more challenging! Moreover rural doctors have to deal with such cases with limited staff, no backup and paucity of lab tests and definitive care.

Perhaps one of the most commonly encountered true emergencies in the bush is dealing with major haemorrhage. Our patients work on farms, in heavy industry, or are involved in road crashes.

Let’s consider a hypothetical case and see how FOAMed could help.

THE SCENARIO

It’s Tuesday morning and you are busy working through a routine Primary Care Clinic in anticipation of the afternoon off. The local Rotary are hosting a BBQ at the nearby football oval and you’ve been invited as a guest speaker on the pros & cons of prostate cancer testing.

Clinic is rudely interrupted by a loud “BANG” from the direction…