When To Call 911

Adults

Whether you are a normal healthy person, have a medical condition and are not feeling “right”, call 911 if (but not limited to):

• You become short of breath while resting or doing very little.
• Your breathing is difficult or painful
• You develop chest pains or discomfort
• You are coughing up bloody sputum
• You are wheezing
• You have had a fever for three or four days
• You or others note that you are extremely drowsy and difficult to wake up or that you are disoriented and confused

If your child:

• Has severe breathing trouble or blue lips
• Is limp or unable to move
• Is hard to wake up or does not respond
• Has a stiff neck
• Seems confused
• Has a seizure (convulsion/fit)
  
  

If you are UNSURE, it is always a good idea to seek
medical attention by calling 911 for an AMBULANCE

What To Expect At The Emergency Department

It is not always easy to know if your medical problem needs an ambulance or emergency department. In some situations, emergency medical treatment is a must. Other conditions and services, such as prescription renewals, are best dealt with by your family doctor or local medical clinic.

Understanding how and emergency department works may help you decide if you need to go there. If you think it’s an emergency or urgent, don’t hesitate. Trust your judgement.

*Don’t forget your health card, medications, and any herbal remedies you are taking.*

Whether you arrive by ambulance or on your own, a triage nurse or paramedic will ask you several questions and preform a few simple procedures to assess your condition. This will help them to decide how urgently your need to be seen by a doctor. This process is known as triage.