Emergency Care

When To Call 911, Your Doctor, or The Hospital

When an emergency threatens a person’s life, limbs or sense organs – such as heart attacks, strokes, breathing problems, broken bones, head and neck injuries, cuts with severe bleeding, and eye injuries – call 911 immediately.

Be prepared to provide the condition of the person experiencing the medical emergency, and location of the person for the ambulance staff to arrive.

It is important to have a list of medications being taken by the patient, if possible, to assist the first responders in assessing the medical situation.

The following are warning signs which may indicate a medical emergency:

Any sudden or severe pain

Changes in vision

Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure

Confusion or changes in mental status

Coughing or vomiting blood

Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath

Difficulty speaking

Fainting, sudden dizziness, weakness

Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea

Shortness of breath

Suicidal thoughts or feelings

Uncontrolled bleeding

Unusual abdominal pain