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When to drive, when to ride to the Emergency DepartmentOne of your first thoughts in a medical emergency is to get into the car and rush to the Emergency Department. But sometimes, that's not always the best route to take. In an emergency, it's hard to think clearly when you or someone you love needs help. So, here are a few things to think about before a medical emergency strikes.  Paramedic Katie Kaiser backs the Allina Medical Transportation Ambulance into the garage at the New Ulm Medical Center Emergency Department. In an emergency, you may want to drive yourself to the hospital – but often, calling for an ambulance is the safest thing to do.
In a life-threatening situation, call 9-1-1 for an ambulance, even if you think you can get there quicker on your own. Ambulances are not just fast transportation to the hospital; they are also a critical care unit on wheels or an ER that makes house calls. According to John Richardson, ambulance operations manager for Allina Transportation – New Ulm, "We bring highly trained medical personnel who are in contact with Emergency Department physicians. And we have advanced life support equipment, which can start important treatment at the person's home or on the way to the hospital." What's more, emergency vehicle drivers are trained to balance safety and speed. Richardson said, "Our drivers know where to go, with special training on using lights and sirens for safely moving through traffic." Calling an ambulance is especially important for individuals experiencing chest pain and a possible heart attack. "Treatment for heart attacks has been revolutionized – starting in the ambulance, continuing in the ED and ending at the cardiac catheter lab at Abbott Northwestern Hospital's Heart Hospital in Minneapolis," said Mark Rorem, MD, New Ulm Medical Center Emergency Department physician. If you have any doubts about whether you should drive, call 9-1-1 for an ambulance. If your condition worsens on the way to the hospital, you could lose consciousness or control of your car, endangering other people as well as yourself. So, call 9-1-1 for an ambulance when experiencing the following:
If you determine that your condition requires treatment soon, but is not life-threatening and you choose to drive to the ED, stay calm and don't break the law getting to the hospital. It's important to be calm and know where you're going. When in doubt, have a friend or neighbor help you. Related Links New Um Medical Center Emergency Department  Back to Health Edition |
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New Ulm Medical Center
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