94: How Valuable is the Shock Index?

Rapid Response RN

Looking at HR or Blood Pressure alone as determinants of how stable the patient is can lead us astray. The Shock Index allows us to detect when patients are declining… while they are still compensating. Shock Index = HR/SBP… but how can we use this tool?

A patient’s vital signs can appear normal, meanwhile they’re on the brink of shock. This was exactly the case of Mr. Fields, a patient admitted to the ER after falling off his tractor. Initially, his vitals didn't raise alarms but there were signs pointing to a more serious situation — including a shock index of greater than one.

In this episode, host Sarah Lorenzini dives into the critical role shock index plays in determining how sick patients are and improving their outcomes, especially in emergency settings. She breaks down the calculation of shock index, its limitations in screening for all types of shock, and practical applications in patient care.

Tune in now to explore how you can apply this vital tool in the assessment and treatment of patients!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• The case study of Mr. Fields
• Understanding shock index
• How to calculate shock index… the easy way
• Clinical applications of shock index
• Limitations of shock index

Learn more about shock index: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6698590/#:~:text=Shock%20index%20(SI)%20is%20defined,sepsis%2C%20and%20ruptured%20ectopic%20pregnancy

Mentioned in this episode:

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