Medical Emergencies
Sometimes it's difficult to determine whether a medical condition warrants a 9-1-1 emergency response. Call 9-1-1 if you can answer any of these questions in the affirmative:
- Is the condition life-threatening?
- Could the condition rapidly worsen on the way to the hospital without emergency transport?
- If the victim is moved by non-medical professionals, is it likely to increase health risk or cause further injury?
- Do injured or ill people need the skills and equipment provided by paramedics or EMTs?
See the When Should You Call 911 for Emergency Medical Services? fact sheet for additional guidance.
Response
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If you see someone in medical distress or for any medical emergency, DIAL 9-1-1 (or designate someone). State your name, the location, nature and severity of the medical/emotional emergency. If available, have someone remain with the victim while the call is made.
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STAY ON THE LINE: The 911 emergency dispatcher may give you some first aid instructions to perform on the patient prior to the arrival of emergency personnel.
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Assess the situation – quickly determine if victim is breathing and has a pulse.
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Keep area clear. In general, victims should not be moved unless other hazards pose an immediate threat to life. If possible, have someone stay with the victim.
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Have someone waiting at the entrance to direct emergency personnel to the victim(s).
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Offer first aid, including administering naloxone, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)/
automated external defibrillator (AED) if trained, willing to do so, and aid is needed and allowed.
- Follow any further instructions received from emergency personnel.
- Use protective equipment if possible and refer to the UW-Stevens Point Bloodborne Pathogens policy for any cleanup procedures if bodily fluids are present.
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If you may have been exposed to blood or other infectious materials through the provision of first aid or through a needle stick, contact Environmental Health and Safety for information regarding medical attention and injury reporting.
- Do not drive a medical emergency victim to the hospital or allow them to drive.
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Completion of Post Injury Reports
Work-related injuries - Supervisors, together with the employee, must complete the worker's compensation reports.
Contact Environmental Health and Safety for assistance.
Non-employee injuries - Complete the online
non-employee accident report form. Contact Environmental Health and Safety for assistance.