What should a medical assistant do if they are alone in the clinic and a patient experiences a serious medical emergency?

In the event of a serious medical emergency, the most immediate and effective action for a medical assistant is to call 911. This step is crucial because it ensures that professional emergency medical services (EMS) are dispatched as quickly as possible to provide the necessary care that may be beyond the capabilities of a medical assistant. When faced with an emergency, prioritizing the calling of emergency services allows for rapid assessment and treatment by trained personnel who can handle critical situations efficiently.

While other actions may seem reasonable, they do not ensure that the patient receives the necessary immediate care. Contacting the patient's family may be important later, but it does not provide the immediate medical attention that a patient in a serious condition requires. Attempting to treat the patient could potentially lead to delays in obtaining the right care, especially if the situation is beyond the medical assistant's training or competence. Finally, waiting for assistance from a colleague is impractical in a serious emergency, as it could waste precious time that could be better spent on getting professional help as quickly as possible.

Therefore, calling 911 should always be the first step in a medical emergency, ensuring that the patient receives timely and adequate medical care.