Massive haemorrhage scenario

scenarios

  • trauma context
  • 78yo 3 days post op hemicolectomy with worsening abdo pain, was discharged originally on enhanced recovery pathway. The nurse in ambulance handover has put in a pink cannula, taken bloods and a VBG, and escalated due to a lactate of 7.
  • Massive PR bleed

script

  • Recognise massive haemorrhage
  • Activate massive haemorrhage protocol
  • Allocates roles
    • e.g. drugs, checking blood products
  • 2x Wide bore cannulae, asks for group+save and crossmatch e.g. 4 units
  • TXA (if appropriate)
  • Transfuses blood when available → 'flying squad'/emergency O negative blood
  • Transfuses in 1:1:1 ratio Red cells/FFP/platelets
  • Considers reversing any anticoagulation
  • Permissive hypotension
  • Considers FAST scan in trauma context
  • Considers correcting calcium and potassium e.g. on repeat VBGs
  • Arranges appropriate investigations e.g. CT angio to identify bleeding point
  • Hands over to specialty (critical care, surgery...)
  • Leads team well
  • Global mark from examiner