How ready are you to deal with a personal medical emergency? The Siloam Springs Regional Hospital Emergency Department (ED) has some pointers to help you recognize an emergency and how you can aid our staff in treating you.
When do you need to go to the ED?
Consider these factors to avoid wasting precious time wondering if you need treatment:
• How severe are the symptoms -- Is the pain unbearable? Is vomiting excessive? When pain or discomfort is severe, go to the ED.
• Suddenness and length of symptoms -- How quickly did symptoms appear? How long are they lasting? A twinge of pain that goes away in seconds may not be severe, but pain that lingers for minutes or hours could warrant emergency care.
• Symptom location -- Chest pain, especially on the left side, with shoulder or jaw discomfort and tingling down the arm could suggest a heart problem. Loss of speech may indicate a stroke. In both cases, the sooner you get to the ED, the better.
• Consider your age -- Symptoms are likely to be more serious if they occur in the very young or very old.
Symptoms to consider
The following are red flags that emergency care is needed:
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure
• Sudden dizziness, weakness, loss of coordination or vision problems
• High fever or vomiting that continues nonstop for several hours
• Confusion or change in mental status or speech
• Any sudden or severe pain, including a headache
• Bleeding that cannot be controlled by pressure
• Vomiting blood or bright red blood in stool
• Injuries from an accident or fall
• Suicidal or homicidal feelings.
If you or a loved one has any of these symptoms, call 911 or have a friend take you to the ED immediately. The sooner medical attention is received, the more quickly a professional can assess your condition and begin treatment.
About Siloam Springs Regional Hospital
Siloam Springs Regional Hospital is a 73 licensed bed facility with 42 private patient rooms. It is accredited by the State of Arkansas Department of Health Services and The Joint Commission. Some services include inpatient and outpatient surgery, emergency medicine, medical, surgical and intensive care units, obstetrics, outpatient diagnostic services and inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation. With more than 30 physicians on the medical staff, Siloam Springs Regional Hospital provides compassionate, customer-focused care. The new facility, which opened April 2012, is located at 603 N. Progress Ave. in Siloam Springs, Ark. For more information, visit SSRH.net.
Community on 10/29/2014