2 IntroductionSoft tissue is a term that encompasses all body tissue except the bones.Soft tissue includes skin, muscles, vessels, ligaments, tendons, and nerves.Soft tissue injuries can range from the trivial, such as a scraped knee, to the critical that includes internal bleeding.
3 Termsabrasion — Damage to the superficial layer of skin as a result of rubbing or scraping across a rough or hard surface.avulsion — Soft tissue that is either torn completely loose or is hanging as a flap.compartment syndrome — An elevation of pressure within the compartment that contains muscles, nerves and vessels.
4 Terms, continuedcontusion — A traumatic injury to the tissues beneath the skin without a break in the skin.dermis — The inner layer of skin containing hair follicles, sweat glands, nerve endings and blood vessels.dislocation — An injury that occurs when the bone ends that form a joint become separated. For example, a dislocated shoulder.
5 Terms, continuedecchymosis — Discoloration under the skin that is caused when blood leaks out into the surrounding soft tissues causing the skin to turn different colors.edema — Swelling as a result of inflammation or abnormal fluid under the skin.epidermis - The outer layer of the skin that keeps you waterproof.
6 Terms, continuedfascia — A band of tough fibrous connective tissue. It lies deep under the skin and forms an outer layer for the muscles. Think of it as the sack that holds the muscle fibers.hematoma — Blood collected within the skin, muscles or in a body cavity. A large hematoma can be seen or felt.hypotension — Blood pressure that is lower than the normal range (systolic BP less than 90 mm Hg).
7 Terms, continuedhypovolemic shock — Shock (inadequate tissue perfusion) due to loss of fluid or blood.laceration — A cut in the skin.shock — A condition that is caused by inadequate tissue perfusion. It usually develops when the circulatory system is not able to deliver sufficient blood to body organs.
8 Terms, continuedshock position — (Trendelenburg position) A body position that has the legs and lower torso elevated 8 inches to 12 inches.subcutaneous tissue — A layer of tissue, composed largely of fat, that lies directly under the dermis.sprain — A joint injury involving damage to supporting ligaments and partial or temporary dislocation of bone ends.strain — Stretching or tearing of a muscle.
9 ResourcesThe recertification exam for this module is based on a variety of resources. We recommend that you review the following:Chapter 24: Soft Tissue Injuries — Emergency Care and Transportation of the SICK and Injured (9th ed.)King County EMS Patient Care Guidelines for BLS (1/05 ed.) pages 38, 73, 93, and 97.
10 Anatomy The skin is the largest organ in the body. It protects against heat, light, injury and infection.It also regulates body temperature; provides sensory input for heat, touch and pain; and stores water, fat and vitamin D.
11 Layers of Skin—Epidermis Epidermis is the thin outer layer of the skin.Contains cells that continually divide, forming new cells and replacing the old ones.
12 Layers of Skin—Dermis The dermis is the layer below the epidermis. The dermis contains:blood vesselslymph vesselshair folliclessweat glands
13 Layers of Skin—Subcutaneous Layer Inner layer of the skin and is made up of a network of collagen and fat cells.Helps conserve body heat and protect internal organs from injury by acting as a shock absorber.
14 Closed InjuriesAn injury to the tissues beneath the skin where the skin or mucous membrane remains intact.The extent of damage may not be readily visible. Swelling, bruising, immobility and pain at the injury site may indicate a closed injury.You will often find closed injuries in accidents where a significant mechanism of injury was involved.
15 Closed Injuries, continued When assessing trauma, you should always suspect injury to soft tissues and organs beneath the area of impact or observable surface injuries.For example, a baseball bat to the abdomen may cause a bruise over the umbilicus, but this mechanism might also damage the underlying organs such as the stomach, bowel, pancreas, spleen and liver.
16 Open InjuriesAn open soft tissue injury is an injury where the surface of the skin or the mucous membrane is broken, exposing underlying, deeper tissue.This type of injury requires a thorough assessment and appropriate BLS care.
17 Burns Can be caused by heat, electricity and chemicals. Can be life-threatening particularly when they involve the respiratory tract or occur over extensive areas of the skin.Can lead to shock and sepsis which both occur hours after the trauma occurs. Always be alert to possible airway involvement.
18 Burns, continuedSigns of burns involving the respiratory tract include:Burns of the face, nose, mouth or chestSinged eyebrows, lashes or nasal hairAbnormal breath sounds such as stridor, wheezes or rhonchiSooty sputumHoarse voice or persistent coughHistory of confinement in toxic or smoky environment.
19 Mechanism of Injury—MOI Mechanism of Injury (MOI) is the force or forces that cause injury when applied to the human body.Forces have characteristics such as speed, size and direction. Your observations of the mechanism of injury are an important element in a patient’s care.
20 Mechanism of Injury, cont'd Four factors to consider when assessing MOI:traveling approximately 50 MPHfall from standing positionfall from height of 15 feetlanded on concrete floor-EXAMPLES-speed
21 Mechanism of Injury, cont'd Four factors to consider when assessing MOI:car versus bicycleautomobile collision with utility pole12-gauge shotgun at close rangehigh-powered rifle (30-06)stabbing with a 3-inch paring knifeair-powered nail gun (1-inch nails)-EXAMPLES-speedtype/size
22 Mechanism of Injury, cont'd Four factors to consider when assessing MOI:ankle flexed outwardshot in the head from behindstabbed in side of the thoraxt-boned by station wagon-EXAMPLES-speedtype/sizedirection
23 Mechanism of Injury, cont'd Four factors to consider when assessing MOI:significant damage sustained by vehicleintrusion into the passenger compartmentrider not wearing helmetdriver not wearing safety beltsairbags deployedpatient states the perpetrator kicked him in the bellypatient heard a popspeedtype/sizedirectionother evidence
24 Speed KillsTraumatic injury occurs when the body is exposed to force beyond its tolerance.The energy of a moving object is called kinetic energy and is calculated as follows:2Mass x (Velocity)2Kinetic energy =
25 Speed Kills, continued The law of kinetic energy says: If you double the weight of a moving object the force doubles, andIf you double the speed the force quadruples.The amount of kinetic energy or force that is delivered to a human body dictates the severity of the injury.
26 Significant MOILook for evidence of high energy, penetration by a projectile or significant direct or indirect force, for example:bent steering wheelbroken windshielddamage to the exteriorintrusion into the passenger compartment
27 Physical ExamConduct your physical exam in a systematic manner starting at the top and working your way down (neck-head-to-toe exam).Keep the chief complaint in mind as you inspect and palpate each region of the body.
28 Physical Exam, continued Look for:BleedingPoor skin signsSustained tachycardiaPain and tendernessLimited movementDeformity or angulationDiscolorationSwellingCrepitusAbsence of CMS
29 Physical Exam, continued A physical exam entails collecting and documenting baseline vital signs.When there is a significant MOI or an obvious significant injury, immediately perform a rapid trauma survey to assess for life-threatening injuries.If time permits, conduct a detailed physical exam while en route.
30 Assessment vs. Diagnosis EMTs are not expected to make a diagnosis in the field.The language that you use in your written report should reflect your impression of the injuries, based on the evidence you collect (for example, MOI, chief complaint, signs and symptoms).
31 Assessment vs. Diagnosis, cont'd Here are some terms that may help you in documenting your assessment:possible (e.g., possible fracture)suspected (e.g., suspected dislocation)potential (e.g., potential internal injury)obvious (e.g., obvious angulated tib/fib fracture)
32 Soft Tissue Injuries Involving Joints It is often difficult to distinguish sprains and strains from dislocations. Sprains/strains are characterized by:relevant mechanism of injurypoint tenderness of injured joint/ligamentswelling and ecchymosis of injured jointpain causing immobilityinstabilityguarding during joint motion
33 Soft Tissue Injuries Involving Joints Dislocations are serious injuries that require prompt attention, characterized by:marked deformityswellingpain aggravated by movementloss of normal motionnumbnessimpaired circulation to limb
34 Assessing CMS Function Important blood vessels and nerves lie close to the bone, especially around major joints.Assess circulation, motor and sensory function (CMS) as part of the detailed physical exam.If you suspect a joint is dislocated, assess distal nerve and vascular function by checking CMS.
35 Assessing CMS Function If a limb has lost circulation, motor or sensory function, attempt to reposition the dislocated joint then reassess CMS and note any changes.Discontinue repositioning if the patient experiences increased pain or crepitus.If you’d like to insert a copy of this video into your presentation, the video file itself must be in the same folder as this PowerPoint slide deck.Please or call for assistance.See demonstration of proper auscultation of breath sounds at
36 SAMPLE History Factor Description Signs/Symptoms Chief complaint What happened?AllergiesTo medications, etc.MedicationsPrescription, over the counter, and recreational (illicit) drugsPast medical historyMedical conditionsLast oral intakeFood and drinkEvents leading to incidentInclude precipitating factors
37 ShockShock is a life-threatening condition that develops when the circulatory system cannot deliver sufficient blood to body tissues.There are many causes including blood loss, cardiac failure, respiratory failure, and spinal cord injury.
38 Shock, continuedThe body has a predictable physiologic response when it loses a significant amount of blood.Significant blood loss, either through internal or external bleeding, causes a progression of signs that you can see in a patient.
39 Patient Care—Closed Injuries The following are guidelines for the care of closed soft tissue injuries such as contusion, ecchymosis, hematoma, and edema:Reassure patientImmobilize/splint if indicatedApply ice or cold packElevate
40 Patient Care—Closed Injuries The following are guidelines for the care of closed soft tissue injuries such as sprains, strains, and dislocations:Reassure patientGently support the siteCheck CMS before and after splintingApply ice packSplint and immobilize injured limbElevate injured limb (if not contraindicated)Arrange for transport to appropriate care center
41 Removal of Foreign Objects BLS providers may remove large, easily removed debris, such as glass, splinters, or gravel before bandaging.Secure large, deeply imbedded fragments or projectiles in place with a dressing and bandage.
42 Decontamination of Skin To decontaminate skin or soft tissue that has been exposed to toxic chemicals, you should remove wet chemicals (e.g., acid) by repeated flushing with water.Remove dry substances by first brushing the area and then by flushing with water.
43 BLS Care for Burns General care of burns includes: scene safety remove patient from the source of the burnadminister oxygen or provide ventilatory assistance as neededremove loose debris on the burned arearemove wet chemicals, such as acid with repeated flushingContinued on next page
44 BLS Care for Burns, continued General care of burns includes:remove dry substances by first brushing then flushingapply clean, sterile or clean dressings to the woundsmaintain body temperaturecover with dressings (follow local protocol)determine the need for ALS
45 Patient Care—Open Injuries The following are guidelines for the care of open soft tissue injuries:consider the need for ALSprovide oxygen or ventilatory assistanceassess level of consciousnessmaintain an open airwayensure adequate breathingcontrol bleedingmaintain normal body temperaturemonitor vital signsstabilize the cervical spine, if indicated
46 Patient Care—Open Injuries The following are guidelines for the care of open soft tissue injuries:Consider the need for ALSProvide oxygen or ventilatory assistanceAssess level of consciousnessMaintain an open airwayEnsure adequate breathingControl bleedingMaintain normal body temperatureMonitor vital signsStabilize the cervical spine, if indicatedDo not rub or wash an open wound to remove foreign objects or material. It may cause additional bleeding. However, you may remove loose material to allow for proper dressing.
47 Dressing and Bandaging All wounds require dressing and bandaging. Dressings help control bleeding, protect the wound from further damage and prevent further contamination. The initial dressing should be sterile (if possible). Otherwise, choose a material that is as clean as possible. Cover the entire wound with the dressing. Try to extend the dressing material past the ends of the wound. Do not remove a dressing once applied. If bleeding continues, apply additional dressings over the old ones.
48 Dressing and Bandaging, cont'd Bandages hold dressings in place. They should not come into direct contact with the wound.Secure dressing with a bandage that is snug but does not impair circulation. Wrap from distal to proximal to help reduce swelling and enhance circulation.Leave the fingers and toes exposed.
49 Occlusive DressingsCover open wounds such as an abdominal evisceration or an open chest wound.Provide an airtight seal and prevent air from entering or leaving the chest cavity.Prevent loss of moisture in cases of open abdominal evisceration.
50 AmputationsAmputations and avulsions may require control of bleeding in which case you would use direct pressure or pressure points.Use a tourniquet only as a last resort for severe life-threatening bleeding as characterized by hypotension.
51 Amputations, continued Wrap amputated parts in dry, sterile dressings and place the amputated part in a watertight container.Then place the watertight container in a second container that should be placed on ice.
52 Amputations, continued Do not submerge the amputated part in water or place directly on ice.Do not use dry ice to cool a severed part; however, ice or chemical cold packs are acceptable.If you’d like to insert a copy of this video into your presentation, the video file itself must be in the same folder as this PowerPoint slide deck.Please or call for assistance.
53 Amputations, continued Do not submerge the amputated part in water or place directly on ice.Do not use dry ice to cool a severed part; however, ice or chemical cold packs are acceptable.Rapid transport of the patient and the severed part is critical to the success of re-implantation. If transport is delayed, consider sending the amputated part ahead to be surgically prepared.If you’d like to insert a copy of this video into your presentation, the video file itself must be in the same folder as this PowerPoint slide deck.Please or call for assistance.See a demonstration of proper packaging of an amputated part at
54 Summary The three layers of the skin are: dermis epidermis subcutaneous
55 Summary Types of closed soft tissue injuries include: contusion strain hematoma and edemadislocationspraincrush injury
56 Summary, continued Types of open soft tissue injuries include: lacerationabrasionavulsionamputation
57 Summary, continuedFactors to consider in assessing MOI include speed, type/size, direction and other evidence.The statement that best explains kinetic energy as it relates to MOI is… SPEED KILLS.
58 Summary, continued The steps for assessing CMS status are: Palpate the pulse distal to the point of injury and check skin color and/or capillary refill time (Circulation)Evaluate motor function by asking the patient to wiggle fingers or toes (Motor)Assess patient’s ability to sense light touch (Sensation)
59 Summary, continuedCare for a patient with a closed soft tissue injury includes:Reassure patientImmobilize/splint if indicatedApply ice or cold packElevate
60 Summary, continued Care for a patient with an open soft tissue injury: Consider the need for ALSProvide supplemental oxygen and or ventilatory assistance, if neededAssess level of consciousnessMaintain an open airwayContinued on next page
61 Summary, continued Care for a patient with an open soft tissue injury: Ensure adequate breathingControl bleedingMaintain normal body temperatureMonitor vital signsStabilize the cervical spine, if indicated
62 Questions EMS Online Guidelines and Standing Orders Mike Helbock, M.I.C.P., NREMT-P Training Division Managersupport:Dr. Mickey Eisenberg Medical DirectorAsk the Doc: