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As a Responder, the available interventions and management options are limited and they may be contraindicated by the casualty’s medical history. Therefore, it is critical to take an effective history from a casualty to ensure all pertinent information is gathered.
S — Signs and Symptoms
What can you see and what can the casualty feel?
A — Allergies
Known allergies to medications, food, latex, environmental and what the reaction is.
M — Medications
Medications prescribed and taken, including over-the-counter drugs, recent changes, and missed doses.
P — Past Pertinent Medical History
Relevant medical history, including medical conditions, recent treatment, previous surgeries.
L — Last Oral Intake
Last food or drink intake.
E — Events Leading Up
What happened immediately prior to the incident, including details of the mechanism of injury and the onset of any symptoms.
Some documentation may refer to a “SAMPLER” history, there are a few variations of this but the most common is “Risk Factors”, which may include additional information such as pregnancy, smoking, recent travel, or alcohol/drug use depending on the context.