What to do and where to go if your body temperature is above 38, you have vomiting or abdominal pain
?
Anyone who comes to Poland to live, study or relax will receive emergency medical care according to clear rules.
The first rule is
Emergency care is available to visitors and residents of this country, whether or not they have health insurance.
The second rule
When acute symptoms appear, Polish residents do not call an ambulance. They go to the hospital emergency department (Szpitalny oddział ratunkowy, SOR) themselves.
The third rule
In the Republic of Poland, an ambulance team (karetka pogotowia) is called only in emergency situations. Some examples of these cases: loss or impairment of consciousness, traffic accidents, sudden acute chest pain. Poles also call an ambulance in case of extensive burns, attempted suicide, falls from height (the full list is on the website of the health fund).
To call an emergency, residents of Poland dial 999 from a landline phone or 112 from a mobile phone.
The fourth rule
If you have any doubts about the seriousness of the situation, feel free to call an ambulance and ask what is the best course of action. The dispatcher will assess the patient's condition and tell you where to go or send an ambulance.
When you call, please be prepared to answer the following questions:
— the exact location of the incident (address);
— reason for the call;
- who needs help (name, surname, gender and age of the patient);
- who calls the ambulance (leave your contact information: first and last name, phone number).
Rule number five:
Answer the dispatcher's questions clearly, even if the questions seem meaningless. Also, speak truthfully, do not deceive the medical worker. In case of a false call for an ambulance, a fine of 500-1500 zlotys is threatened.
Based on the symptoms, the dispatcher will decide whether to send a medical team or not. The doctor will advise contacting the SOR yourself if the situation is not critical. In this case, go to the website of the National Health Fund of Poland (http://www.nfz.gov.pl). It contains information on the location and opening hours of emergency medical care departments in cities.
