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What an emergency physician does

An emergency medicine specialist is trained to assess and stabilise people with sudden, serious illness or injury in the emergency department. Training is MBBS followed by an MD or DNB in Emergency Medicine. They sort patients by urgency (triage), start life-saving treatment immediately, and arrange admission, surgery or specialist care. Fast treatment in the first hour often decides the outcome, particularly in heart attack, stroke and major injury.

Go to the emergency room or call 108 / 112 for

• Chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to the arm or jaw, sudden sweating or breathlessness.
• Sudden weakness of the face, arm or leg, slurred speech, confusion or loss of vision (possible stroke).
• Difficulty breathing, choking, or lips turning blue.
• Severe bleeding, major injury, or head injury with drowsiness or vomiting.
• A seizure lasting more than five minutes, or loss of consciousness.
• Poisoning, snake bite, severe burns or drowning.
• Severe allergic reaction with swelling of the face or throat.
• Severe abdominal pain, vomiting blood or black stools.
• High fever with stiff neck, rash or confusion, or fever in a baby under three months.
• Bleeding or severe pain in pregnancy.

Before you leave for the hospital

Call 108 or 112 for an ambulance rather than driving yourself or the patient if the condition is serious. Take identity proof, an insurance or Ayushman card, a list of current medicines and allergies, and any previous reports. Note when symptoms started; this matters for stroke and heart-attack treatment, where minutes count. Do not give food or drink to an unconscious person.

What happens in the emergency room

You are assessed quickly, vital signs are checked, and tests such as ECG, troponin, CBC, blood sugar, electrolytes and kidney tests, X-ray, ultrasound or CT are done as needed. Treatment begins while the diagnosis is being confirmed. You may then be admitted, observed, or sent home with instructions.

Costs and your rights

Emergency care costs vary by hospital and treatment. Under Indian law, hospitals are expected to provide emergency stabilisation without demanding advance payment. Government and many private hospitals accept insurance and Ayushman Bharat. Find hospitals with 24-hour emergency services on Lab Dekho, and save emergency numbers on your phone.

Trusted References

This guide is original content informed by recognised medical and public-health sources. For further reading:

• NABH – hospital accreditation standards
• NABL – laboratory accreditation
• Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY
• Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
• Mayo Clinic – Patient care & health information
• Cleveland Clinic – Health Library
• WebMD – Health A–Z

Disclaimer: This guide is for general information and does not replace advice from a qualified doctor. Costs and fees are approximate and vary by provider. Institution names are given for orientation only; check current services and timings directly. In an emergency, call 108 or 112.