Emergency medicine
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A sudden accident or illness can change your life in an instant. Emergency medicine specialists focus on the immediate decisions and actions needed before and after reaching the hospital emergency room.
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department for any life-threatening or severe illness or injury, including:
- broken bones, heart attacks and strokes
- severe abdominal pain, head injuries, high fevers, difficulty breathing, severe eye injuries, carbon monoxide exposure, sudden blindness, complicated or deep cuts and other conditions
- situations, such as rape and suicidal thoughts or behavior
Related links
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Allina Health Emergency Medical Services
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Be prepared in case of an emergency
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Sexual assault care services
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What to do when you have to call 911
Source: American Board of Specialties, Research and Education Foundation, Which Medical Specialist for You?; American Medical Association; Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, Lexicon: Dictionary of Health Care Terms, Organizations
Reviewed by: Steven Bergeson, MD, medical director of quality, Allina Health clinics; J Richard Sheely, MD, medical director, Allina Health clinics
First published: 8/1/2004
Last reviewed: 11/6/2012