Medical Emergencies in the Dental Practice 2023 – Part 1 – Perfusion
There is one word that sums up medical emergency treatment:
PERFUSION
Perfusion is defined as the passage of fluid through the lymphatic system or blood vessels to an organ or a tissue.
In emergency medicine that fluid is BLOOD,
and preferably carrying OXYGEN.
The organ is the BRAIN,
via the pump of the body – the HEART.
The faster the better!
The ideal percentage of oxygen is best.
This takes us to the following assessment guide: SCRAP
Skin – Pale cold sweaty.
Conscious State – Unconscious, Agitation, Confused.
Respiration Rate – above 25 or less than 10 breathes per minute for adults.
Airway – impaired by foreign material or body swelling or inflammation.
Perfusion of Oxygen – Saturation percentage of oxygen in the blood. Below 93 % oxygen should be given. Do not give more oxygen above 96%, as this damages the body. We want the ideal concentration.
This is determined by a Pulsimeter. Its best placed on the thumb facing up, in order to see it the screen.
The updated assessment of the need to start CPR is a breath assessment. If the person is not responding to stimuli and there is ONE OR LESS BREATHES PER 10 SECONDS then compressions should be started. Compression of the heart causes blood to flow to the brain carrying with it oxygen to perfuse the brain tissue.
Checking for a pulse is often difficult and takes too much time. If the person is OK they will soon become conscious very quickly with compressions.
Need an Appointment?
If you’d like to book an appointment with the dentist at Seymour Dental then call us in Dulwich Hill, Sydney on (02) 9564 2397 or
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Next week
Medical Emergencies in the Dental Practice 2023 - Part 2 - More Perfusion & LUCAS!