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Do You
Know What To Do?
From Brochure HD0381P published by the PA
Department of Health
Recognizing an Emergency
Are you prepared for an emergency? Knowing
what constitutes an emergency, where to get
help, and what to do while you're waiting
for help can save a life. A bottom-line rule
of thumb: If you believe your life or the
life of a family member is in jeopardy, seek
immediate care by dialing 911.
While only a physician can fully diagnose
medical problems, you can protect yourself
and your family by learning to recognize
certain symptoms. The following are warning
signs of a medical emergency:
- Any sudden or severe symptom—including
chest pain or any severe pain, sudden
shortness of breath, high fever, severe
weakness, loss of consciousness and
traumatic injuries—should be taken seriously
and may indicate a medical emergency.
- Any accident or incident that impairs the
function of a body part, causes severe pain
or involves significant bleeding needs
emergency medical attention.
- Any sudden change for the worse in a
chronic condition may indicate a serious
problem and should get immediate attention.
- If you are still unsure if it's an
emergency, ask yourself the following
questions:
- Could the victim's condition worsen and
become life threatening on the way to the
hospital?
- Could moving the victim cause further
injury?
- Does the victim require the skills or
equipment of paramedics or emergency medical
technicians?
Know Where to Get Help
Almost all communities in Pennsylvania have
the 911 emergency number, but check now to
see if yours does. Write down the number and
keep it by the phone. Even small children
can be taught to dial 911 in an emergency.
Call 911 (or the seven digit number in those
few communities without 911 access) when you
have a medical emergency.
Know What to Say
Speak clearly and calmly. Give your name,
address, phone number and where you or the
other person who needs the ambulance is
located. Let the dispatcher know if the
patient is upstairs in a bedroom, in the
basement or in an unusual place. You can
also note any other special circumstances
such as non-English speaking, hearing
impaired or latex sensitive. Do not hang up
the phone until the dispatcher tells you. He
may need more information. F-le may also
give you instructions about what to do while
you're waiting.
By all means, after you get off the phone
with the emergency dispatch center, do not
make any more calls that can tie up your
phone line; ambulance personnel might have
to call you to verify your location. If
others need to be notified of the situation,
they can be called from the hospital after
the condition is stabilized.
Waiting for Help
- If outdoors, keep the patient in as safe
and recognizable a location as possible.
- If waiting at home, have someone turn on all
outside lights (even during the day) and
hallway lights in side to call attention to
your house, and make an easy path for the
ambulance crew.
- If you are in an apartment complex, get
someone to make sure the main entrance to
your building is open and accessible for
ambulance personnel.
Gather all the patient's medication bottles
(including over-the-counter products) and
any supplements that are currently being
used to take to the hospital. Also, consider
taking any recent health records that may
explain the patient's condition. People with
ongoing health difficulties can ask their
doctor to prepare a brief letter describing
the problems. The letter should be sealed in
an envelope and attached to the refrigerator
door where it is less likely to be forgotten
in an emergency. Make sure any appliances
(oven, etc.) are turned off.
At the Hospital
Visiting the emergency department can be a
stressful experience for you and your
family. Here are some points to consider:
Try to organize your thoughts. For example,
review the patient's symptoms - when they
started and if they have changed. If
possible, have someone jot down the
information. This avoids forgetting it later
on. Tell the doctor about your other health
problems, illnesses, medications and
allergies.
Remember, emergency departments must see
patients based on the severity of their
illness or injury—not on a first-come,
first-served basis. That means that if your
child has a cut or severe bruise, he or she
may need to wait while a patient with heart
attack symptoms, such as chest pain, is
treated.
Even if you must wait to see the doctor. the
patient will be questioned immediately upon
arrival to determine the seriousness of the
illness or injury. Ask questions about the
patient scare, and make sure you understand
the answers.
After you receive emergency medical
treatment, call your doctor's office as soon
as possible so that your regular doctor can
monitor and coordinate follow-up care. If
you have any concerns a bout the treatment
you or the patient received, talk with your
doctor or the facility where you were
treated. You may also get additional
information from your insurance company.
Contact Information
The Emergency Department is located on the
First Floor of the Liberty Street Facility
and can be contacted at 814-333-5500. |
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