Should I call ambulance or go to ER?
Asked by: Dr. Jewell Swaniawski DDS | Last update: August 3, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (4 votes)
Is it better to drive to the ER or call an ambulance?
Some emergency situations are obvious. Others are not. If you or the person who needs care is choking, not responding, bleeding a lot, or having what you think might be a heart attack or stroke, it's a good idea to call 911 and request an ambulance.
When should you not call an ambulance?
There are certainly times when calling an ambulance isn't necessary. A lot of injuries don't need immediate treatment. If the medical emergency isn't life-threatening and you can quickly get yourself or the victim to the hospital, you should do so. In that case, you shouldn't call an ambulance.
At what point should you call an ambulance?
Always call 999 in a medical emergency – when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk. Examples of genuine emergencies include: cardiac arrest. loss of consciousness.
How do I know if I should call an ambulance?
Anything that's serious or life threatening (stroke symptoms, difficulty breathing, chest pain, traumatic injuries, cardiac arrest, anaphylaxis, sudden onset of the worst headache of your entire life, etc) should have an ambulance called.
Emergency Room 911 or Urgent Care or Doctor Visit | Medical Advice With Doctor ER
Do you get charged for calling an ambulance?
Typically, you don't receive an ambulance bill unless you are taken to the hospital. While you should always see a doctor right after a car crash, you are not required to go to the hospital and have the right to turn down EMTs suggestions under most circumstances.
Is it illegal to not call an ambulance?
General Rule: No Duty To Aid Someone in Peril
In general, the law says you do not owe a duty to help someone else. There is no duty to rescue. You are under no legal obligation to do anything to help people in an emergency situation.
What is considered an emergency for ambulance?
Dial 911 in the event of an emergency ONLY! When someone is badly hurt or suddenly sick and in danger, call EMS immediately. Call when someone's life is threatened, when someone faints or collapses, has persistent chest pain or difficulty breathing or is badly injured.
What is the ambulance code red?
Ambulance Code Red follows the teams as they attend some of the most seriously injured and ill patients in the region.
Does an ambulance get you seen quicker?
It's important to note that arriving to the emergency department by ambulance does not get you seen more quickly. The ER treats people based on the severity of their condition, no matter how they arrive.
What are reasons to call an ambulance?
- Bleeding that won't stop.
- Choking.
- Confusion, slurred speech, difficulty walking or speaking.
- Coughing up or vomiting blood.
- Dizziness, weakness, or a change in vision.
- Drowning.
- Drug overdose.
- Fainting or loss of consciousness.
Is it better to go to the hospital by ambulance?
Not only will the ambulance get you to the hospital faster for treatment, but they can also run an EKG to diagnose a heart attack. And if you are having a heart attack, they can both get you started on the right treatment and alert the hospital ahead of time that you need emergency treatment.
How many ambulance calls are unnecessary?
Of ongoing concern to everyone involved in EMS is unnecessary use of ambulances. Depending on the definition, up to 52% of calls have been deemed "unnecessary." At best, surveys indicate that 15% of those requesting transport by ambulance services do not need it.
Should I really go to the ER?
You should call 911 or come right to the emergency room if you're systemically sick. That's when an illness affects your entire body, and you have severe pain or sudden onset of severe symptoms, a fever that won't break, or “something doesn't work,” like you're unable to move an arm or leg or breathe normally.
Do police come when an ambulance is called?
Police officers may respond to ambulance calls depending on the nature of the call. Police officers often respond to assist with scene safety or to assist if additional manpower is needed.
What does only red lights on an ambulance mean?
What does it mean when an ambulance is silent with lights on? If an ambulance lights are on but the siren is off, it's typically due to the patient inside feeling stressed, the response team experiencing discomfort from the noise, or there is a clear path through traffic resulting in no need for the siren.
What is the code purple for ambulance?
All calls are triaged into the following categories: Purple: Our most critically ill patients. This is where a patient is identified as having a 10% or more chance of having a cardiac arrest.
Can I go to ER without ambulance?
It is important to remember that the rescue squad is not the only option if you require treatment and need to get to an emergency department. There are times when you may not want to call an ambulance and find a different way to get to the hospital. When in doubt, call 911.
What to say to get an ambulance?
- the location of the emergency (for example, the postcode or any landmarks)
- what has happened (the main symptom or reason for the call)
- your contact number (in case they need to call you back)
Do you get charged for calling 911 an ambulance?
Police/Fire/Rescue is generally a free service to you when you call 911, funded by taxes. When 911 is called for emergency medical calls, our EMS crews respond and help determine if the patient needs to be transported to the hospital emergency room.
Is it better to call an ambulance or drive to the hospital?
Even if the scene of the emergency or accident is very close to a healthcare facility, it is always best to call 9-1-1. Paramedics are highly trained professionals who are able to provide advanced medical treatment to those who are sick or injured.
Do I have to pay an ambulance bill?
You are the patient, you get billed. Doesn't matter who called for the ambulance. Give the bill to your health insurer. They might cover it as an emergency expense or at least part of it.
Can you get sued for calling an ambulance?
Yes you can be sued. You could equally be sued for not calling an ambulance, but the core question is: can the plaintiff win? As Lyndall Carter mentions, most states have a “Good Samaritan” law that in general protects you when you act in a medical emergency.