How often should an EMT reassess a stable patient?

Reassessing a stable patient every 15 minutes is crucial for maintaining an accurate understanding of their condition. This frequency allows the EMT to monitor any changes in the patient's vital signs, responsiveness, and overall status, ensuring that any deterioration in their condition is promptly identified and addressed. This is especially important in a pre-hospital environment where patient conditions can change rapidly due to various factors.

In contrast, longer intervals, such as every 30 minutes or every hour, could allow significant changes to go unnoticed, placing the patient at risk. Similarly, reassessing every 5 minutes may be overly frequent for a patient deemed stable, potentially leading to unnecessary strain on resources and time. Therefore, a 15-minute reassessment schedule strikes a balance between vigilance and practicality in managing patient care.