OP-ED: It Is Safe To Call 911 For Medical Emergencies During Pandemic

by Contributor | May 21, 2020 3:57 pm

Fear of COVID-19 exposure has caused a nationwide drop in 911 emergency calls. At the same time, some people with severe, life-threatening conditions are waiting too long to seek care. The American Heart Association reports that 911 calls are down[1] 25 percent for heart attacks, and 35 percent for strokes.

While people are encouraged to stay home and save lives during this crisis, it’s critical that they understand that it’s okay to call 911 if they are experiencing a medical emergency. Time is of the essence when it comes to heart attack, stroke, or respiratory distress and receiving care quickly could be the difference between life and death. African Americans and other racial and ethnic groups face disproportionate risk and are more likely to die from heart attack or stroke.

First responders, hospitals, the American Heart Association and other national organizations dedicated to heart disease and stroke are signing on to the American Ambulance Association’s  #MinutesMatter[2]public awareness campaign to sound the alarm[3] on what they believe is an alarming trend. Their message: It’s safe to call 911 and it’s safe to go to the hospital.

Heart attack, stroke and cardiac arrest symptoms are always urgent. First responders across the entire emergency medical response system are well trained to help you safely and quickly, even in the throes of  a pandemic. Ambulance fleets are routinely sterilized. Hospitals have strict protocols in place around sanitizing, socially distancing and keeping infected people isolated. Many hospitals now have separate emergency rooms, operating rooms, cardiac catheterization rooms and ICUs for people with COVID-19, and for people without.

Do not hesitate to call 911 if you’re experiencing life-threatening symptoms, including:

Warning signs and symptoms of breathing difficulty: People experiencing breathing problems that are more severe than a normal cold or allergy should seek medical care as soon as possible. Some common conditions that are treated in the ER for difficulty breathing include asthma, pneumonia, heart attack, allergic reaction, and blood clots in the lungs. Breathing problems are often described as:

• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Breathlessness

Warning signs and symptoms of heart attack

• Discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back (it can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain)
• Shortness of breath (with or without chest discomfort)
• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach
• Cold sweat nausea or lightheadedness

Warning signs and symptoms of stroke

• Drooping or numbness on one side of the face droop (ask the person to smile)
• Weakness in one are (ask the person to raise both arms to see if one arm drifts downward)
• Difficulty speaking or slurred speak (ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “the sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly?)

Warning signs and symptoms of cardiac arrest

• Sudden loss of responsiveness

 

While the entire world is worried  about COVID-19, heart attacks, strokes and other medical emergencies will not stop. Calling 911 is still the most important step in getting critical care quickly and your best chance at survival. #MinutesMatter.

 

Troy Hogue, Regional Director of AMR Central New York

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/op-ed-it-is-safe-to-call-911-for-medical-emergencies-during-pandemic/

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