All of a sudden the moment comes that divides the day into a “before” and an “after”. A fall, loss of consciousness or severe chest pain – cases for the emergency call 112. You should know that.
Two ones, one two: If you type this number into the phone with trembling fingers, the situation is serious. Perhaps the young daughter has swallowed cleaning products and now seems dizzy. Or at the bus stop, an elderly man has collapsed unconscious. Or you slipped on the stairs at home and can only move with extreme pain.
In situations like these, one thing is clear: help is needed – and fast. Some are reluctant to call 911 or go to the emergency room on their own. Others do it even though it may not be necessary. How do you make the right decision? An emergency doctor explains.
When should I dial 112?
“If it is a sudden, life-threatening situation that cannot be postponed, but help must come immediately,” says Martin Massmann. He is senior physician in the central emergency room of the Schön Klinik Neustadt (Schleswig-Holstein). But when your heart is pounding or you’re in shock, you can’t always assess the situation with a cool head. The emergency doctor knows that too. “Of course, it is difficult to ask patients in this situation to be able to assess: is it life-threatening or not?”
If you are unsure, it is better to call the emergency number. “It’s better to do it once more than once too little,” says Massmann. Because the experts in the control center follow a questionnaire over the phone that is designed for a quick assessment of the situation. And they then decide what is best to do – whether to send an ambulance with an ambulance, for example.
What are specific examples of medical emergencies?
According to Massmann, one sign of a potentially life-threatening situation is shortness of breath. Because it can indicate various serious diseases, such as a pulmonary embolism, an allergic reaction or a heart attack. In the latter case, there is often pain in the chest or in the back between the shoulder blades.
A stroke is also an emergency. Slurred speech or unilateral paralysis of the arm, leg or face indicate it. It can also affect younger people; according to the German Stroke Society, ten to 15 percent of strokes occur in people younger than 55 years of age.
Loss of consciousness can also be a sign of a stroke. But also for other serious illnesses such as cardiac arrest, a seizure or poisoning – also situations in which quick help is needed.
This can also apply to an accident. Possible broken bones belong in the emergency room. Bleeding is also heavy – especially if you are taking anticoagulant medication. According to Schön Klinik Neustadt, a blood loss of one liter can be life-threatening in an adult.
Medical help is also required after an electrical accident, even if you are fine after an electric shock. Cardiac arrest can occur hours later. Schoen Clinic therefore advises not to lose any time if heart palpitations, shortness of breath or cramps occur after an electrical accident.
And what are no cases for the emergency room or the emergency call 112?
“If you have a feverish infection, a bad cold or a gastrointestinal infection, these are not situations for the emergency call,” says emergency doctor Massmann. Because the capacities of the emergency services are limited. “The problem: you manned both the dispatcher in the control center and the ambulance, so to speak.” As a result, someone who is really serious may have to wait longer for help.
But even with an infection, you can’t always wait until the doctor’s office opens its doors again the next morning or on Monday. Then another phone number is a better choice: 116 117.
The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians is behind the offer. If you dial 116 117, you can reach the medical on-call service around the clock, who can give advice on what is best to do in the case of the corresponding symptoms. And, for example, suggesting on-call practices that you can go to. If necessary, a doctor will visit you at home.
There is also a patient navigation system on the website that queries health problems online. At the end there is advice on how best to proceed.
If 112 is the right choice, how do I make life easier for paramedics and emergency room staff?
You can start with this on the phone. Martin Massmann advises that conducting the conversation should be left to the dispatcher in the control center. If you get cut off on the phone, don’t take it personally.
If an ambulance is on its way to the injured person, someone should meet the rescue workers, for example on the street. “It’s bad when the ambulance comes but can’t find the scene,” says Martin Massmann. Because then valuable minutes are lost.
If the rescue workers are there, the following applies: “It doesn’t help much if someone intervenes,” says Massmann. For example through words or when you walk through the work area of ??the paramedics. It is best for relatives to hold back and initially only answer the questions asked by the emergency services.
And if it goes to the hospital? “Of course it’s important that the patients get something to wear for the hospital,” says Martin Massmann. “But even more important is a medication plan, possibly doctor’s letters or a living will, if available. And what you also need: a telephone number for relatives.”
