Livingston, N.J.—The week of May 14 through 20 has been designated as National Emergency Medical Services Week. The Emergency Department at Saint Barnabas Medical Center and the American College of Emergency Physicians recommend several steps for helping an injured child or adult during a medical emergency.
“No one expects a medical emergency to happen, but they do,” says Christopher Freer, D.O., Chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Saint Barnabas Medical Center. “During an emergency, the injured person is depending on family members or friends to appropriately access the situation and ensure that help is on the way. These tips are designed to assist with that process.”
To follow are instructions for assessing a medical emergency.
Call an ambulance if the patient has the following problems:
- Choking or trouble breathing
- A seizure/attack
- Won’t respond or move when you talk to him/her
- Sudden or intense pain
- Heavy bleeding
- Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea
- Coughing or vomiting up blood
- Chest pain or pressure
- Neck or back injury
- Confusion or mental status change
- Fainting
- Sudden dizziness, weakness or change in vision
- Patient is suicidal or homicidal
- If it is life-threatening, or if you are not sure it is an emergency, CALL 911.
What to Tell the Emergency Dispatcher
- Describe the emergency; speak slowly and calmly
- Give your name, phone number, exact location/address and nearby landmarks
- Give name, age and number of patient(s), if known
- Follow the dispatcher’s instructions and answer his/her questions
- Do not hang up until you are told to; Don’t leave the scene until help arrives
What to do for the patient:
- Stay calm, keep patient calm
- Keep patient awake and warm
- Do not give the patient anything to eat or drink
- Do not move a victim who has been in a car accident, had a serious fall or has been found unconscious, unless he/she is in immediate danger
- Perform first aid if you are willing and able
What to do for the emergency responders:
- Light your location with a porch light, flare or bright cloth
- If possible, send someone to the street to flag down the ambulance
- Close off pets from rescuers/put pets in another part of the house
- Write down the patient’s medications, allergy information and medical history
- Note the time: When did you last talk to the patient? How long has he/she had this medical problem? If unconscious, how long has he/she been unconscious?
What to do for yourself and your family:
- Arrange for children to stay with a friend or neighbor
- Pack a small bag for yourself
- Bring insurance cards family/friends contact
- Lock up the house, turn off appliances
For a referral to an attending physician, call 1-888-724-7123.
Date: April 6, 2006
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