As a primary care physician (PCP), you may not expect one of your patients to have a medical emergency in your office, but it happens. And when it does, it’s crucial you know how to respond to help ensure they receive lifesaving care.
Curious about what you may encounter, warning signs, and other emergency medicine basics? You’re in the right place.
Emergencies in the Primary Care Setting
While patients typically go to the doctor for preventative care and minor issues, such as an illness, there are times when they may have a medical emergency. There are several reasons why this can occur. For example, a patient may have an allergic reaction or severe side effects to a medication.
However, most PCPs see emergencies because patients don’t know or want to admit their symptoms need immediate attention. The same can be true for parents who take their children to a pediatrician instead of the ER.
Regardless of the reason or cause, primary care providers must know what to do next.
Can PCPs Provide Emergency Medical Care?
Physicians in an office setting should provide emergency care to patients until an ambulance arrives.
The American Academy of Family Physicians suggests that all doctors’ offices create protocols and purchase equipment for stabilizing patients. It’s also beneficial for doctors to stay up to date with CPR training and how to use lifesaving equipment.
Common Emergencies in Primary Care Settings
Although you may not face emergencies often in primary care, knowing the signs can help you better prepare for when they occur. Here are some of the most common you may encounter:
Warning Signs and Symptoms
Patients of any age may show signs of serious issues that require immediate attention in an ED. These include heart attacks, stroke, pregnancy complications, or abdominal concerns, among others.
General warning signs that someone is having a medical emergency include:
- Chest pain
- Drooping face
- Arm weakness
- Speech difficulties
- Shortness of breath
- Uncontrollable bleeding
- Severe abdominal pain
- Coughing or throwing up blood
- Respiratory distress
- Fainting
- Allergic reaction or anaphylaxis (hives and face or tongue swelling)
- Sudden confusion
- Inability to speak, move, or walk
If a patient presents these symptoms, call 911 immediately to initiate a transfer. Other reasons you should send patients to the ER include injury from a motor vehicle accident, nearly drowning, and smoke inhalation.
Pediatric Emergencies
Infants, children, and teens may have different symptoms during a medical emergency than adults. From bronchitis to concussions to dehydration, these emergent concerns need intervention in the ED.
Signs of a medical emergency in children include:
- Lack of alertness
- Difficulty eating
- Abnormal breathing or respiratory distress
- Unusual behaviors
- Confusion and irritability
- Severe headache or vomiting
- Unconsciousness
- Increased sleepiness
- Fewer or no bowel movements
- Blue, purple, or gray skin and lips
- Difficulty standing or walking
These symptoms often warrant a referral to the ER for immediate treatment. Some common pediatric emergencies you should look for are seizures, respiratory distress, and psychiatric concerns.
Toxicology Emergencies
PCPs may also run into ingestion and exposure to toxic substances. These can include accidental or intentional overdoses and require emergency treatment.
Symptoms in people who have been poisoned or overdosed include:
- Loss of consciousness
- Uncontrollable restlessness or agitation
- Seizures
- Difficulty or no breathing
- Drowsiness
- Withdrawal symptoms
- Confusion
- Slurred speech
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
Regardless of the reason, patients may experience life-threatening reactions that need immediate attention.
Psychiatric Emergencies
Patients may also exhibit psychological and behavioral concerns during PCP visits. These conditions can happen due to mental illness, though they can also happen without a history of it.
Keep these signs a patient requires emergency care for psychiatric and behavioral issues in mind:
- Thoughts of harming themselves or others
- Agitation
- Delerium and hallucinations
- Violence
- Psychosis
If you see a patient, regardless of their age, displaying unusual, aggressive, or harmful behaviors, send them to the ER.
Stay Updated on Emergency Protocols in Primary Care With CME
Knowing what to do if a patient shows signs of an emergency is critical to keeping them, other patients, and staff safe. With CME, you can stay up to date on the latest emergency medicine concerns and protocols for PCPs.
Whether you prefer in-person or online conferences, emergency medicine for primary care CME can help you prepare for the unexpected.