Medical Emergency Guidelines
A medical emergency is any situation that poses an immediate threat to a person’s life or health. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Unresponsiveness or loss of consciousness
- Difficulty breathing or no breathing
- No detectable pulse
- Severe chest pain or symptoms of a heart attack
- Stroke symptoms (sudden weakness, facial drooping, confusion, or difficulty speaking)
- Severe bleeding
- Seizures
- Serious head injuries
- Suspected overdose or poisoning
- Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
- Any condition where the individual requests emergency medical assistance
When in doubt, call 911 immediately.
Emergency Response Procedures
1. Call 911
Use the nearest telephone or mobile phone to call 911.
Provide:
- Your name and callback number.
- The exact location of the emergency, including building name, room number, or nearest building number if outdoors.
- The nature of the medical emergency.
- The number of injured or ill individuals.
- Any known hazards affecting responders.
Do not hang up until instructed by the dispatcher.
2. Notify Campus Dispatch
After contacting 911, immediately notify Campus Dispatch at 360-538-4114. Provide the location and nature of the emergency so campus personnel can assist responders and direct them to the scene.
3. Provide Immediate Assistance
If you are trained in First Aid, CPR, or AED use, provide assistance within the scope of your training until emergency responders arrive.
- Do not move an injured person unless they are in immediate danger.
- Use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) if one is available and needed.
- Follow instructions provided by 911 dispatchers when applicable.
4. Remain at the Scene
Remain at the scene, if safe to do so, until emergency responders or authorized College personnel arrive and relieve you of responsibility.
5. Refusal of Medical Care
If an individual appears to be experiencing a serious medical emergency, College employees should call 911 regardless of whether the individual initially declines assistance. Emergency medical personnel will assess the situation and determine appropriate care options.
6. Incident Reporting
As soon as practical after the incident, complete an Incident Report and submit it in accordance with College reporting procedures. Incident Report forms are available through the Safety & Security resources on the GHC intranet.