Urgences

The emergency unit receives and treats acutely ill or injured patients day and night.

A nurse rapidly sorts arriving patients by severity so the sickest are seen first.

Airway, breathing, circulation, disability and exposure checked in order to find life threats.

Chest compressions, ventilation and emergency medicines given to restart a stopped heart.

The airway is opened and kept clear using positioning and airway adjuncts.

Breaths delivered by hand through a mask when the patient cannot breathe adequately.

Secretions, blood or vomit suctioned from the mouth and throat to clear breathing.

Oxygen given by prongs, mask or reservoir bag to correct dangerously low oxygen.

A controlled electric shock restores normal rhythm in a life-threatening arrhythmia.

Pulse, blood pressure, breathing, temperature and oxygen saturation recorded repeatedly.

Dirt and dead tissue removed, the wound irrigated and a sterile dressing applied.

A laceration closed under local anaesthetic to control bleeding and aid healing.

Bleeding stopped with direct pressure, wound packing, a tourniquet or a pelvic binder.

A broken limb is splinted to reduce pain, bleeding and further damage.

A plaster cast applied after fracture reduction to hold the bone while it heals.

A displaced joint is put back into place under analgesia or sedation.

Burn depth and surface area assessed, then cooled, dressed and fluids started.

Consciousness and pupils assessed and scored to decide on observation, imaging or referral.

A collar and manual support protect the neck until spinal injury is excluded.

Full trauma assessment, resuscitation and treatment of injuries after a road crash.

A bedside scan looking for free blood in the abdomen, chest or around the heart.

Tetanus vaccine, with immunoglobulin where indicated, given after a dirty or deep wound.

Injectable artesunate, glucose and supportive care, with admission or urgent referral.

Low blood sugar corrected immediately with intravenous glucose, then the cause investigated.

Fluids, insulin and potassium given with close monitoring of sugar and electrolytes.

Dangerously high blood pressure lowered in a controlled way to protect brain, heart and kidneys.

Repeated nebulised bronchodilators, steroids and oxygen given until breathing improves.

Bronchodilators, steroids, antibiotics and controlled oxygen for worsening lung disease.

Intramuscular adrenaline given immediately, with fluids, oxygen and observation.

Medicines given to stop prolonged seizures and protect the brain.

Sudden weakness or speech loss recognised early and referred urgently for brain imaging.

ECG, aspirin, oxygen and pain relief given, with urgent referral for cardiac care.

Sitting position, oxygen, diuretics and nitrates given to clear fluid from the lungs.

The poison identified, absorption limited, and antidotes plus supportive care given.

The limb immobilised, envenoming assessed and antivenom given with observation.

Rapid intravenous fluid replacement with monitoring until circulation recovers.

Cultures taken, antibiotics given within the hour, and fluids started for low blood pressure.

Bleeding controlled and circulating volume restored while the cause is found.

Sugar, oxygen, infection and poisoning excluded while the airway is protected.

The wound washed thoroughly and rabies vaccine started immediately.

A catheter is passed to drain a painfully full bladder and relieve the symptoms.

Mother and fetus assessed rapidly for bleeding, fits, labour or reduced movement.

Magnesium sulphate and antihypertensives given to stop fits, then urgent obstetric care.

Uterotonics, fluids, uterine massage and blood given while transfer is arranged.

A baby delivered safely in the emergency unit when birth is imminent.

Bleeding in early pregnancy assessed by examination and ultrasound, then treated.

Drying, warming, stimulation and bag-mask ventilation for a baby not breathing at birth.

A critically ill child assessed for danger signs and resuscitated with weight-based treatment.

A cannula is placed and fluids run rapidly to restore blood pressure.

A needle into the bone marrow gives fluids and medicines when no vein can be found.

Life-saving medicines such as adrenaline, glucose and anticonvulsants given immediately.

A catheter drains the bladder and allows urine output to be measured hourly.

A tube passed into the stomach to decompress it or to give treatment.

The stomach is washed out shortly after a serious poisoning to remove the toxin.

Cross-matched blood given urgently for life-threatening bleeding or severe anaemia.

Blood sugar, haemoglobin, malaria test and other urgent results obtained within minutes.

A needle releases trapped air compressing the lung, restoring breathing and circulation.

The patient stays under nursing observation for several hours until it is safe to leave.

The patient is made safe for transport and referred with a letter and clinical summary.

Transfer by ambulance with oxygen, a drip and a trained escort monitoring throughout.