I’ve written here about some of my volunteer trips; based on my experiences I agree with this blogger’s observations that all volunteer trips are not created equal. Some do more good for the volunteer than for those being helped, although that may not always be a bad thing. If you come home more compassionate and passionate about helping others, then maybe it was worthwhile.
Some of the groups I worked with met the criteria this blogger suggests better than others; those are the ones I worked with a second time.
I encourage you to volunteer, either abroad or in your community.
volunteers helping locals to build a medical clinic
a community well built and donated by a relief agency and donated
Interested in voluntourism? Here’s what to look for
(summary of points in the article)
Is the company offering the project a reputable, well-established company?
Has the project been established in consultation with the local community?
Is the project of lasting benefit?
Is the project sustainable?
Does the project employ local people?
Where is your money going?
If the opportunity doesn’t measure up, look for something else. There are plenty out there that need your help.
A local nurse assisted me with a patient encounter in Thailand
And how often do doctors volunteer their knowledge and skills? Find out here.
Wherever you go, thanks for exploring the HEART of health with me here.
To patients, an emergency is any medical condition which
is new, unexpected, worse than usual, uncontrolled, of unknown origin, not responding to treatment, not going away and interrupts normal life.
However, to physicians and other health care personnel, the definition of an emergency is specific.
An emergent medical condition is one that
Threatens life
Threatens one or more limbs
Threatens vision/hearing/speech/mental function/ function of any major internal organ or organ system
Has the potential, if not treated promptly, to cause death or long term and/or permanent harm.
Minutes matter with heart emergencies
Some examples of conditions that meet this definition are
Acute changes in heart function, like a myocardial infarction (heart attack), arrhythmia (abnormal heart rate or rhythm) or congestive failure (poor pumping capacity)
Acute brain conditions including stroke, head trauma, seizure, psychosis
Pulmonary (lung) dysfunction including pulmonary embolus (blood clot), severe pneumonia, asthma or COPD
Multiple trauma , including large burns or trauma to any major organ
Significant changes in components of the blood; for example high blood sugar, low blood potassium, low platelets
Severe depression
When should you suspect any of these conditions?
The SYMPTOMS of an emergency include
Shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing, especially if not associated with exertion
Uncontrollable bleeding
A seizure, especially in a person with no previous diagnosis of seizures
Sudden or severe loss or difficulty with vision, hearing , speech, or other functions such as swallowing, thinking, walking, passing urine or stool
Fainting, passing out, loss of consciousness
Hallucinations, confusion, thoughts or threats of harm to self or others
In a pregnant woman- any of the above plus loss of fetal movement
You notice that I did not list PAIN and FEVER. Even though these are symptoms that concern patients the most, BY THEMSELVES they do not define an emergent condition. However, if they occur with any of the other symptoms, or are severe, then it is reasonable to call it an emergency.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented some unique challenges in emergency room use, I discuss those in this article.
Chest pain must always be taken seriously, even if mild.
Although in persons under 40 years old it is less likely due to a heart attack, there are other life threatening conditions that can occur in this age group. Again, especially if it is associated with any of the other symptoms, it is emergent.
While on a mission trip to Panama, my husband had a near emergency when a board flew into his leg causing a deep gash; a local surgeon was working with our medical team , and with their help he sutured the wound at the small rural church where we were holding clinic; his leg has healed well, just a scar to remind us of the adventure.
So assuming it is an emergency, what do you do now? You do not call your doctor’s office or answering service, your mother, your best friend, or post a question on social media (which I have seen done!)
IN AN EMERGENCY CALL 911!
If it’s not an emergency but is urgent, then the next best options are calling your doctor’s office or going to an urgent care clinic. Posting on social media is still a bad choice. Do you really want your “friends” giving you medical advice about something they know nothing about?
Now, some doctors may disagree with this- but I think it is acceptable to go to an emergency room for problems that are serious but not emergencies. Since an emergency center is staffed 24/7, it should be utilized; there’s no reason to waste our health care resources. And sometimes it may be your only choice- if your doctor’s office is closed or the schedule full, if you are away from home, or you don’t have a primary care physician.
Just be aware if you go to an emergency room instead of an office, clinic or urgent care facility you may
that Dr. Kristin Prentiss Ott and I want you to know. She is an emergency physician who knows exactly what an emergency is . In my career I have worked in ERs so I can attest to the accuracy of what she writes. I hope you never need to go to an emergency room, but if you do, keep her advice in mind.
exploring the HEART of emergency medical care
Dr. Aletha
Use these links to share the heart of health wherever you connect.
watercress words by Dr Aletha 