How often should vital signs be assessed in a casualty during Tactical Field Care?

The recommendation to assess vital signs every 5-10 minutes during Tactical Field Care is grounded in the need for a balance between monitoring a patient's condition closely enough to detect changes, while also taking into consideration the practicalities of the field environment. This interval allows healthcare providers to quickly identify any deterioration or improvement in a patient’s state, particularly in cases of trauma or critical illness where vital signs can fluctuate significantly due to ongoing physiological changes.

Frequent assessments within this timeframe enable timely interventions, which are crucial for the patient’s survival and stabilization. In high-stress situations typical of Tactical Field Care, monitoring too frequently, such as every 2-3 minutes, may not be feasible and could lead to errors or oversight as attention may be divided. Conversely, assessing vital signs every 15-20 minutes or every hour would risk missing critical changes in the patient’s condition that require immediate attention. Therefore, assessing vital signs every 5-10 minutes is recognized as the most appropriate standard during Tactical Field Care to ensure the best possible outcomes.