Medical emergencies happen on a daily basis. It is important for all adults, whether or not they have medical training, to be able to recognize the symptoms of an emergency, know when and how to call for medical help, and be aware of the basic first-aid measures that can be taken to help the patient before medical help is available
When faced with a medical emergency, your first step should be to call Emergency Medical Services (EMS) by dialing 999 so an ambulance can come get the patient. If you are unsure of whether or not the patient is having a medical emergency, err on the side of caution by calling EMS. It is better to call EMS than drive the patient to the hospital yourself because EMS is able to treat the patient while they are being transported, and also drive faster and more safely through traffic.
Tell EMS your location, the patients complaint, and any other medical information you might know of the patient, including the symptoms the patient is experiencing, their past medical history, medication list and allergies.
Some common medical emergencies include:
All skin wounds should be cleaned gently under clean tap water. Deep wounds greater than 1cm should be evaluated by a physician for suturing within 18-24 hours. Watch out and seek medical care for signs of infection such as yellow discharge, redness, warmth or fever.
Burn severity is based on the depth of the skin involved. Minor (1st degree) burns cause only skin redness and can be treated at home. Deeper burns cause blistering (2nd degree) or leathery/painless skin (3rd degree). A large 2nd degree burn, including those involving sensitive parts of the body (hands, face, genitalia) or any 3rd degree burn requires evaluation by a physician. Keep burns clean and dry and do not intentionally break any blisters.
Strokes are caused by sudden loss of blood supply to a region of the brain causing symptoms such as weakness or numbness to one side of the body or face, sensation of world spinning, difficulty speaking or swallowing, or blackening of vision in one eye. EMS should be called immediately as the main treatment for a stroke needs to be given within 4.5 hours of symptom onset.
Seizures are caused by irregular electrical excitation of the brain. People with a history of regular seizures can be on chronic medications to control the seizures. Seizures can be due to noncompliance with these medications, or other problems including a stroke, electrolyte or glucose abnormalities, or infection. Call EMS for any first-time seizure, seizure lasting more than 1-2 minutes or more than 1 seizure in a day.
Medication overdoses can be accidental (in children or demented patients) or intentional (in patients with suicidality or other psychiatric problems). The effect on the patient depends on the type of medication taken and can lead to seizures, confusion/lethargy, and heart and liver failure. You should speak to a physician or call EMS in all cases of medication overdose and inform them of all medications/empty pill bottles the patient has access to. Do not force the patient to vomit.
Choking can occur if food or saliva obstructs the breathing tract. Usually patients can cough up the particle themselves. If the patient stops coughing and continues to clutch their throat, you should call EMS and do the Heimlich maneuver. If the patient faints while choking, chest compressions should be done until the patient coughs up the food item, regains consciousness, or EMS arrives.
Difficulty breathing can be due to multiple causes, including problems with the lung, heart, neurological system or an allergic reaction. If the difficulty breathing continues for more than a few minutes, EMS should be called.
An allergic reaction is an abnormal response of the immune system to an environmental trigger, such as dust, animal hair, insect bite or food particle. Minor allergic reactions cause a red, bumpy and itchy rash that can be treated at home with oral medications (you should discuss the treatment with your physician). Severe allergic reactions can cause dizziness, weakness, difficulty breathing, throat tightening and swelling of the lips and tongue and should be treated with an EpiPen, if available. EMS should be immediately called.
Chest pain can also be due to multiple causes, including a heart attack (loss of blood supply to a portion of the heart), collapsed lung, or rupture of the aorta (one of the main blood vessels of the body). Call EMS for any new onset chest pain lasting longer than 5 minutes. If the patient is taking aspirin for heart problems, have them chew the aspirin while waiting for EMS.
The unconscious patient: A patient can become unconscious/faint for multiple reasons, including medications, alcohol or drug abuse, infections, heart problems, stroke, glucose or electrolyte abnormalities. Call EMS and immediately check to see if the patient has a pulse by placing your hand on the side of their neck. An unconscious patient in whom you cannot feel a pulse requires immediate chest compressions ("CPR=cardiopulmonary resuscitation"), which should be continued until EMS arrives.
If you decide not to call EMS for any reason and before taking any new medications, discuss the symptoms with the patient's doctor, either by scheduling an appointment or over the phone.
© Press Release 2013
