When to Call SAMU for an Emergency in the Clinic

In a few years of practice, most orofacial harmonization (HOF) clinics never need to call an ambulance. That is exactly why, when the day comes, the team has no practice and loses precious minutes hesitating. When to call SAMU, who calls, what to say, and what to have ready are questions to answer beforehand, not in the moment. This guide organizes the criteria and the preparation, at a review level. On-site clinical management, medications, and life support are decisions for the qualified professional, according to their training and the rules of their professional council, and they do not replace specific basic life support training.

Why is it hard to decide in the moment?

Three factors get in the way:

1. Fear of overreacting. The professional thinks "is this serious enough?" and spends time weighing the decision.
2. Fear of embarrassment. Calling an ambulance to the clinic carries emotional weight, disrupts the routine, and can frighten other patients.
3. Lack of clear criteria. Without defined thresholds, the decision becomes subjective, and stress increases hesitation.

The solution is to have written criteria in advance, easy to consult, with the rule that when in doubt you call. See the structure in clinic complication SOP.

Which situations justify calling SAMU?

The criteria below are general examples of risk situations, not a closed list. The professional always assesses the overall picture.

There are specific texts for each type of event: anaphylaxis in the HOF clinic, suspected stroke in the clinic, chest pain in the clinic, seizure in the clinic, choking in the clinic, hypoglycemia in the clinic, hypertensive crisis in the clinic, and asthma attack in the clinic.

Who calls, and what does that person need to know?

Decide in advance who makes the call. In general, the professional who is with the patient should not be the one calling, since they need to keep providing care. It can be the assistant, the receptionist, or another professional at the clinic.

The caller needs to have the following immediately at hand:

• Full address, with number, neighborhood, and landmark.
• The clinic's contact phone number.
• Basic patient information: approximate age, name, concern, what happened.
• Access instructions: gate, intercom, elevator, floor.

A practical suggestion is a laminated card next to the phone, with the address written out and the script of information.

What should you say on the call?

The dispatch center will ask questions and give instructions. Answering calmly and objectively speeds up the response. A sequence of information to provide:

Do not hang up until dispatch releases you. Sometimes the medical regulation team gives instructions that change what you do on site.

How do you prepare the site and the access?

Ambulance arrival time also depends on the address being clear and the access being free.

1. Visible, up-to-date address at the front desk and by the phone.
2. Someone to meet the team at the entrance and guide them to the room.
3. Clear hallways and doors for the stretcher to pass.
4. An elevator of adequate size or an alternative plan for transport.
5. Reserved parking for the ambulance, when possible.
6. Patient information in a folder or a ready copy: name, age, allergies, medications, procedure performed.

How do you handle the team and the patient at that moment?

Communication needs to be calm and clear. Staff and companions tend to get frightened. Giving simple tasks helps: opening the door, making the call, fetching the kit, noting times. See how to prepare the supplies in emergency kit for the HOF clinic and AED in the HOF clinic.

For the companion, explain calmly what is happening, what has been done, and what will be done, without speculating about causes. The duty to inform remains in place, even in critical moments.

What happens after the ambulance arrives?

The SAMU team takes over care. The professional should give an objective summary of what happened, the actions taken, the medications administered, and the times. Hand over a copy of the record, if possible. State the procedure performed, the product used, and the known allergies.

What should you document afterward?

Documentation should be done as soon as the patient is transferred, while memory is fresh. In the patient record, note: time the event began, signs observed, actions taken, time of the call, time the team arrived, information provided, the patient's condition at transfer, and destination. Also record the communication with the family. If the event involved a product, note the lot number and expiration date.

After the event, a blame-free review is worthwhile: what worked, what caused delay, what needs to change. See near miss and safety incident. For adverse events related to a product, consider the adverse event report.

How do you train the team?

• Periodic drills of calling SAMU, with a stopwatch, including reading out the address.
• Basic life support training for everyone who may be present, through recognized organizations.
• Quarterly review of the emergency card and the phone numbers.
• Route test: walk with an imaginary stretcher from the procedure room to the exit.
• Open conversation about fears and doubts.

What to take into your routine

Calling SAMU is not a failure, it is part of care. Have written criteria, decide who calls, keep the address visible, rehearse the script, and document everything afterward. When in doubt about severity, call early. The best time to decide this is today, with the clinic calm, and not in the middle of an emergency.