Emergency medical condition - Glossary (2024)

FAQs

What qualifies as an emergency medical condition? ›

An illness, injury, symptom or condition so serious that a reasonable person would seek care right away to avoid severe harm.

According to the American College of Emergency Physicians, the following are warning signs of a medical emergency: Bleeding that will not stop. Breathing problems (difficulty breathing, shortness of breath) Change in mental status (such as unusual behavior, confusion, difficulty arousing)

Emergency Medical Response (EMR)

Situations that warrant care for illness or injury, but not emergency care: Minor burns. Earache or ear infection. Pink eye.

Concerning the term "emergency medical condition," this is defined according to EMTALA legislation as follows [see Federal statute 42 USCS § 1395dd section e(1)(A)]: "A medical condition manifesting itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain).

Examples of a non-emergency include: sprained knee, ankle, arm, minor headache, pulled muscle, controlled nose bleed and small cuts.

Common signs of a medical emergency include chest pain, difficulty breathing, uncontrolled bleeding, loss of consciousness, severe head injury, sudden severe pain, signs of stroke, severe allergic reactions, persistent vomiting or diarrhea, and suicidal or homicidal thoughts.

Call for help immediately—minutes and seconds count. Bring help to the victim—don't move the victim unless he or she is in danger. Check for breathing and a pulse. Do no further harm—make sure you don't cause additional injuries to the victim.

What are the four basic types of emergency responses? ›

Current thinking defines four phases of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. There are entire courses on each of these phases. The following diagram illustrates the four phases of emergency management. The following table briefly describes each of these phases.

What Does Emergency Response Mean? An emergency response is an immediate, systematic response to an unexpected or dangerous occurrence. The goal of an emergency response procedure is to mitigate the impact of the event on people, property, and the environment.

If the Emergency appears to be Life-Threatening

Examples: Altered mental status, unconsciousness, difficulty breathing, chest pain or discomfort, inability to move, potential head, neck, or spinal injuries, large broken bones, uncontrollable bleeding, stroke, etc. If unsure if it is life threatening treat as if it is.

Defining an emergency

Poses an immediate threat to life, health, property, or environment. Has already caused loss of life, health detriments, property damage, or environmental damage. has a high probability of escalating to cause immediate danger to life, health, property, or environment.