How to Handle Basic Medical Emergencies

Most health care professionals assigned to an area of patient care will eventually encounter an emergency situation. Emergencies can occur within a controlled hospital or clinic setting but also in the community. In the community, an emergency can happen in a public location, without privacy, and it’s important to respect and protect the patient’s privacy to the best of your ability. Being the first person on the scene at a medical emergency may require the health care professional to respond to an individual suffering from a stroke, heart attack, seizure, poisoning incidence, or other critical condition. Being able to recognize and respond appropriately and quickly to common medical emergencies could be life-saving.