Electrical Injuries 

Assessment

Pediatric Pearls:	Signs & Symptoms:	Differential:
□ Can be very painful, treat the pain	□ Burns □ Cardiac Arrest □ Arrhythmias □ Compartment syndrome □ Additional trauma (from patient being thrown)	□ Medical arrest □ Traumatic fall

Clinical Management Options

EMT-B

• Oxygen, target SpO2 92 – 96%  • Identify arrhythmias those in cardiac arrest may have excellent outcomes if CPR is started immediately • Remove constricting clothing or jewelry • Dress all open wounds • Assess for additional traumatic injuries

Paramedic

• Vascular access as appropriate for patient condition  • Pain management as needed

Pearls

• Patients may appear dead immediately after electrocution. These patients have excellent survival with CPR.
• Damage is often more extensive than what appears on the skin. Have a high degree of suspicion for deeper injury.
• If the patient became part of the circuit, there will be an additional site near the contact with ground – electrical burns are often full thickness and involve significant deep tissue damage
• Assess for potential associated trauma and note if the patient was thrown from contact point – if patient has altered mental status, assume trauma was involved and treat accordingly
• Assess for potential compartment syndrome from significant extremity tissue damage
• Assess for additional injuries, as patients can spasm (causing fractures) or be thrown
• Determine characteristics of source if possible – AC or DC, voltage, amperage, and also time of injury
• Pay special attention to body contact points as these may show burns