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Dealing with office emergencies. Stepwise approach for family physicians
Ian P Sempowski1, Robert J Brison
1Department of Family Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ont. sempowsk@post.queensu.ca
Canadian Family Physician Medecin De Famille Canadien
|October 10, 2002
Summary
Family physicians can create simple emergency plans for their offices. A team approach and proper preparation are key to managing common office emergencies effectively.
Area of Science:
- Family Medicine
- Emergency Medicine
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Office-based medical emergencies require specific management strategies.
- Current preparedness in family medicine settings is often inadequate.
- A structured approach to emergency response is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline a stepwise approach for managing office emergencies.
- To review team and equipment preparation for emergencies.
- To illustrate a general approach for common office emergencies.
Main Methods:
- Literature search of MEDLINE (1980-2001) for relevant articles.
- Selection based on clinical relevance, evidence quality, and publication date.
- Review of American family medicine, pediatric, dental, and dermatologic literature.
- Utilization of consensus statements for emergency treatments.
Main Results:
- Family medicine offices often lack adequate equipment and preparation for emergencies.
- Customizable emergency response plans can be developed.
- A systematic team approach enhances the effective use of resources.
- General emergency strategies can be adapted for specific situations.
Conclusions:
- Family physicians can proactively develop stepwise emergency response plans.
- A collaborative team approach is crucial for effective in-office emergency management.