Emergency – act correctly in an acute situation
This article was automatically translated from German using artificial intelligence and has not been editorially reviewed in this language. The German version is authoritative.
An emergency is a situation where immediate help is needed. This could be an accident or a suddenly severe illness. In such a moment, you need to react quickly. Quick help can save lives or prevent serious consequences. An emergency could be, for example, a heart attack, a traffic accident, a severe fall, or a suddenly very serious illness. An emergency exists if you or another person needs medical help immediately.
For example when:
- you have severe pain that does not improve
- you are seriously injured after an accident
- you have severe shortness of breath or cannot breathe
- you experience extreme dizziness, loss of consciousness, severe bleeding, serious burns, or paralysis
- you have a severe allergic reaction, poisoning, or a severe asthma attack
Important: If you recognize an emergency, call the emergency number 112 immediately.
Stay calm. Clearly state what happened and where you are.
Emergency department – help for urgent symptoms
You can go to the emergency department of a hospital if, for example:
- you have a deep wound that needs stitching
- you have severe pain but are awake and clear-headed
- you have pain in a bone that might be broken
For mild symptoms, you should not go to the emergency department.
For example, with a cold or minor injuries. In such cases, a general practitioner's office or an outpatient clinic is more appropriate.
If you are unsure, you can call the medical on-call service at 116117. There, you will receive advice on what to do.
Medical help – outside of practice hours
You do not always need to go to the emergency department. The emergency department is for urgent medical problems that cannot wait.
For minor symptoms, first go to your general practitioner's office or another medical practice. Many practices also offer emergency appointments without an appointment. If the practice is closed and you need urgent help but it is not life-threatening, call 116117. This is the medical on-call service.
They will tell you what to do next.
If you are unsure, you can also use the Patient Navigation service at 116117.de.
There, you answer questions about your symptoms and receive a recommendation on what to do.