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Emergency Medical Services
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Health System

Emergency Medical Services

When you or someone you know is severely ill or injured, emergency medical services provide immediate care through trained personnel and equipped facilities.

Overview

Emergency medical services are designed to help people who are very sick or badly hurt and need help right away. These services use specially trained people and specially equipped facilities.

Emergency Care in the Hospital

You may need care in the hospital emergency room (ER). Doctors and nurses there treat emergencies, such as heart attacks and injuries.

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Paramedics

For some emergencies, you need help where you are. Emergency medical technicians, or EMTs, do specific rescue jobs. They answer emergency calls and give basic medical care. Some EMTs are paramedics – they have training to do medical procedures on site. They usually take you to the ER for more care.

How to Seek Care

If you or someone you know needs emergency care, go to your hospital's emergency room. If you think the problem is life‑threatening, call 911.

Frequently Asked Questions

EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians) are trained to provide basic life support, which includes assessing vital signs, performing CPR, and administering oxygen. Paramedics have advanced training that allows them to perform invasive procedures such as inserting IV lines, administering specific emergency medications, and performing cardiac monitoring and defibrillation on site.
It is generally acceptable to drive yourself if you are conscious, stable, and the situation is not immediately life-threatening, such as a minor fracture or a non-urgent allergic reaction. However, if you are experiencing chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, or altered mental status, you should call 911 because paramedics can begin life-saving treatment en route to the hospital.
Upon arrival, the paramedics transfer the patient to the ER staff and provide a detailed verbal and written report of the patient's condition, vital signs, and any treatments administered in the field. This handoff ensures that the hospital team has a complete picture of the emergency, allowing them to prioritize care and avoid repeating unnecessary tests.
Ensure that your address is clearly visible from the street, keep your phone charged and accessible, and know the location of your home's main electrical panel and gas shutoff valve. Additionally, having a list of your medical conditions, allergies, and current medications readily available can help EMTs and ER doctors make faster, more accurate treatment decisions.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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