Emergency Medicine Department: Conditions, Tests and When to Go
Emergency medicine provides immediate care for sudden illness and injury, 24 hours a day. Emergency teams stabilise patients, start treatment and decide who needs admission or surgery.
What Does Emergency Medicine Treat?
- Heart attack and stroke
- Severe breathlessness
- Major trauma and fractures
- Severe bleeding and burns
- Poisoning and overdose
- Seizures and collapse
Common Tests in Emergency Medicine
- Triage and vital signs
- ECG and blood tests
- Point-of-care ultrasound
- X-ray and CT
- Blood gas analysis
When Should You See a Emergency Medicine Specialist?
- Chest pain, stroke signs, severe bleeding or breathing difficulty
- Collapse or unresponsiveness
- Serious injury
- In Pakistan call 1122; USA 911; UK 999; Europe 112
Who Works in Emergency Medicine?
Emergency teams include emergency physicians, nurses, paramedics and trauma surgeons.
Patient Tip
Learn hands-only CPR; it can double the chance of survival after cardiac arrest.
How to Prepare for Your Visit
- Write down your symptoms, when they started and what makes them better or worse.
- Bring a list of all medicines and supplements, with doses.
- Carry previous reports, scans and discharge summaries.
- Note your questions in advance and, if possible, bring a family member.
Questions to Ask Your Emergency Medicine Specialist
- What is the most likely cause of my symptoms, and what else could it be?
- Which tests do I need, and what will the results change?
- What are the benefits and risks of each treatment option, including doing nothing?
- Which warning signs mean I should return urgently?
Getting Referred
In Pakistan and many other countries, the usual route to a Emergency Medicine specialist is through a family physician or general practitioner, who can start tests and write a referral. Large teaching hospitals and specialist centres also run outpatient clinics. In an emergency, go straight to the nearest emergency department.
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This Emergency Medicine department guide is educational and based on public information from WHO, CDC, NIH and NHS. It does not replace advice from a qualified clinician. Explore all specialties in our medical departments directory.