RPM-30-2-Can Do is a

mnemonic A mnemonic ( ) device, or memory device, is any learning technique that aids information retention or retrieval (remembering) in the human memory for better understanding. Mnemonics make use of elaborative encoding, retrieval cues, and imag ...

device for the criteria used in the

START triage Simple triage and rapid treatment (START) is a triage method used by first responders to quickly classify victims during a mass casualty incident (MCI) based on the severity of their injury. The method was developed in 1983 by the staff members o ...

system, which is used to sort patients into categories at a

mass casualty incident A mass casualty incident (often shortened to MCI) describes an incident in which emergency medical services resources, such as personnel and equipment, are overwhelmed by the number and severity of casualties. For example, an incident where a ...

. The mnemonic is pronounced "R, P, M, thirty, two, can do."

Mnemonic for adult triage

Using the START system, GREEN (MINOR) patients are easily identified by their ability to walk to a designated treatment area when told to do so immediately after the first responders' arrival. Deceased patients are easily identified by

apnea Apnea, BrE: apnoea, is the temporal cessation of breathing. During apnea, there is no movement of the muscles of inhalation, and the volume of the lungs initially remains unchanged. Depending on how blocked the airways are ( patency), there ...

with no return of spontaneous respirations when their

airway The respiratory tract is the subdivision of the respiratory system involved with the process of respiration in mammals. The respiratory tract is lined with respiratory epithelium as respiratory mucosa. Air is breathed in through the nose to th ...

is repositioned. These patients are triaged BLACK (EXPECTANT/DECEASED). "RPM-30-2-Can do" helps responders differentiate between the other two triage categories: YELLOW (DELAYED) and RED (IMMEDIATE). "30, 2, Can Do" stands for the criteria that delineate these two categories: * Respirations: Is the patient's respiratory rate over or under 30? * Perfusion: Is

capillary refill Capillary refill time (CRT) is defined as the time taken for color to return to an external capillary bed after pressure is applied to cause blanching. It can be measured by holding a hand higher than heart-level and pressing the soft pad of a f ...

over or under 2 seconds? * Mental status: Is the patient able to follow simple commands (the patient can do what you ask them to)? To be triaged YELLOW (DELAYED) , the patient must meet all of these criteria: If any one of these criteria are not met, the patient is triaged RED (IMMEDIATE).

Inclusion of pediatric criteria

An alternative version of this mnemonic is RPM-30-2-Can Do-15-45. The "15-45" at the end refers to the different respiratory criteria in the pediatric JumpSTART triage system, due to the differences between children's and adults' normal respiratory rates. In pediatric patients: * Children who are breathing under 15 times a minute are RED. * Children who are breathing over 45 times a minute are RED. The remainder of the criteria are the same as those specified in the adult acronym, except that an apneic child is given five assisted ventilations before being triaged Black. A child who starts breathing on their own after five ventilations is triaged RED; a child without spontaneous return of respirations is triaged BLACK.

References

Medical mnemonics {{Medical mnemonics

Mnemonic for adult triage

Inclusion of pediatric criteria

See also

References