• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

For Emergency Queries Do We Need A Go-to Box ?

kitedoc

kitedoc

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,785
Location
Adelaide, South Australia
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Dislikes
black jelly beans
I noted a mother posting a real-time query recently about her daughter in a hypo and inebriated. Her query was answered quickly but I imagine that this type of query is not really what it was designed for. Does the site need an easily identified Emergency box/icon etc which advises in the case of, say hypos and vomiting, hypos and fitting, alcohol and hypo interactions, suicidal feelings, very high bsls with ketones etc what to do next ( basically call an ambulance and follow ambulance advice etc ?
Waiting for a website to answer such questions, the possible liabilities involved, the time delay when calling an ambulance and receiving over the phone information/instructions from the immediate health service is the priority seem to me to be unsuitable use of the site.
I am not criticising those that post such questions, but wondering how the site can best help and guide them.
I have high praise for all the support this site and its members give. Can we do even better ?
 
I agree, @kitedoc. It would be helpful to know what the suicide helpline numbers are in several countries, so they could be posted in response to some threads. I have found that to be helpful in other forums.

In NZ, calling the general health helpline of 0800 611 116 would enable a person to find out what the current mental health helpline number is.
 
Maybe this site should have a permanent notice displayed somewhere...home page /log in page advising members to seek medical help locally in case of emergency rather than posting here first...problems can be discussed at a later time...maybe it already does ..theres a lot of info here
 
Hi @kitedoc i think the response on this particular post was higly relevant and members rallied around perfectly to respond in accordance with the situation.

Situations like this are rare though.

There are instances from time to time when a unique situation requiring support outside the forums control is required and it is down to the member posting to make that call as to what course of action should be decided upon, the forum is there to offer support and help focus their mind on what should be done next, whether it's a doctors appointment, 111 for medical advice, 116 123 for Samritans or 999 for an emergency.
 
Under the logo at the top of the page it says "the global diabetes community" so perhaps when phone numbers are posted they could have the country beside them?
 
Jenny15 said:
Under the logo at the top of the page it says "the global diabetes community" so perhaps when phone numbers are posted they could have the country beside them?
Click to expand...
In Australia:

Life threatening emergency number is 000 (triple zero).
Lifeline is 131 114
Poison Information Centre 131 126

All numbers are 24/7.
 
Jenny15 said:
Under the logo at the top of the page it says "the global diabetes community" so perhaps when phone numbers are posted they could have the country beside them?
Click to expand...

Jenny - Just how many phone numbers would you expect to see there? If someone comes here in a flap, they are often less open to consulting with lists and web pages. Surely informing, or suggesting the person approached their medical team, out of hours service or emergency services is the way forward?

We are a support community. If someone in in a medical crisis, they need specialist medical help who will understand what is appropriate and available intheir region or country. Whilst we, as a community might have some useful ideas, and in some cases similar experiences, we are unlikely to have the the full story, including incidental, but relevant facts available. That is why a hand-off to specialist services are important.

It is inappropriate and impractical for DCUK to commit to keeping such a database up to date.

Even wiki states their list is not exhaustive: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_emergency_telephone_numbers , and there are a few on there.

Online of offline, perfection doesn't exist.
 
james11 said:
Maybe this site should have a permanent notice displayed somewhere...home page /log in page advising members to seek medical help locally in case of emergency rather than posting here first...problems can be discussed at a later time...maybe it already does ..theres a lot of info here
Click to expand...
Thank you @Jenny15 . I guess being able to find the info quickly would be the key.
 
james11 said:
Maybe this site should have a permanent notice displayed somewhere...home page /log in page advising members to seek medical help locally in case of emergency rather than posting here first...problems can be discussed at a later time...maybe it already does ..theres a lot of info here
Click to expand...
@ James 11, agreed. How to access it quickly seems to be key.
 
If I'm honest, the last place I expect anyone to come in a real emergency is a Diabetes support forum on the internet. Having experienced real emergencies, that's absolutely the last thing I'd be doing.

I think we're all perfectly well drilled as to what the emergency number in our locality is and how to call it, so I'd suspect that anyone asking for help in an "emergency" probably doesn't have a true emergency on their hands.
 
Juicyj said:
Hi @kitedoc i think the response on this particular post was higly relevant and members rallied around perfectly to respond in accordance with the situation.

Situations like this are rare though.

There are instances from time to time when a unique situation requiring support outside the forums control is required and it is down to the member posting to make that call as to what course of action should be decided upon, the forum is there to offer support and help focus their mind on what should be done next, whether it's a doctors appointment, 111 for medical advice, 116 123 for Samritans or 999 for an emergency.
Click to expand...
Thank you @Juicyj . Having relevant numbers accessible for where the questioner lives in a different country to one's own is something that has been raised. I just think when time is of the essence, the more detailed input and support needs to come later otherwise it can delay action. It is a tricky balance. Perhaps. 'please ring the ambulance and explain what has happened and follow their guidelines THEN, once all stops have been pulled out came back on line. That sort of happened but the immediate support needs to be with the ambulance service and following their instructions not the site's. I think !! The mother's post suggestedh er daughter was at considerable risk and needed prompt treatment and call out.
 
DCUKMod said:
Jenny - Just how many phone numbers would you expect to see there? If someone comes here in a flap, they are often less open to consulting with lists and web pages. Surely informing, or suggesting the person approached their medical team, out of hours service or emergency services is the way forward?

We are a support community. If someone in in a medical crisis, they need specialist medical help who will understand what is appropriate and available intheir region or country. Whilst we, as a community might have some useful ideas, and in some cases similar experiences, we are unlikely to have the the full story, including incidental, but relevant facts available. That is why a hand-off to specialist services are important.

It is inappropriate and impractical for DCUK to commit to keeping such a database up to date.

Even wiki states their list is not exhaustive: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_emergency_telephone_numbers , and there are a few on there.

Online of offline, perfection doesn't exist.
Click to expand...
Thank you @DUCKMod,
at minimum we need general ambulance numbers for medical emergencies. Trying to chase a specialist in that case only delays things, the specialist would be saying ring the ambulance anyway and hopefully the ambulance service from its resources would provide instructions etc until they arrived.
Most countries have a crisis line number for more psychiatric type emergencies etc.
I agree that not every contact number can be provided but the basic ones can.
 
tim2000s said:
If I'm honest, the last place I expect anyone to come in a real emergency is a Diabetes support forum on the internet. Having experienced real emergencies, that's absolutely the last thing I'd be doing.

I think we're all perfectly well drilled as to what the emergency number in our locality is and how to call it, so I'd suspect that anyone asking for help in an "emergency" probably doesn't have a true emergency on their hands.
Click to expand...
Thank you @tim2000s. We had a call this last week which appeared to be a true emergency.
And some may exaggerate OR down play the situation they post about. But whilst you will be familiar with your own locality the questioner could be from anywhere.
People can do all sorts of logical and illogical things under stress. We know a person with diabetes can be in great danger for a number of reasons. Being prepared for the occasional time this happens is surely not a big ask.
 
kitedoc said:
Being prepared for the occasional time this happens is surely not a big ask.
Click to expand...
You'd be surprised. It's a huge ask. If you are a global forum and don't publish the number for a country through oversight or accident, or the number you publish is a best efforts basis and then wrong, you open yourself up to the risk of lawsuits and reputational damage if/when someone is badly hurt or dies. Both logistically and legally, it is a bad idea, especially when you are a corporate entity.

If the example you're thinking about is the one where the mother had the nous to stick her daughter with Glucagon, then ask what to do next, I'm not sure having the list of phone numbers of emergency services would make any difference. She didn't ask for a number, she asked what to do next, which is rather different.
 
kitedoc said:
Thank you @tim2000s. We had a call this last week which appeared to be a true emergency.
And some may exaggerate OR down play the situation they post about. But whilst you will be familiar with your own locality the questioner could be from anywhere.
People can do all sorts of logical and illogical things under stress. We know a person with diabetes can be in great danger for a number of reasons. Being prepared for the occasional time this happens is surely not a big ask.
Click to expand...

Kitedoc - You may certainly arm yourself to suggest any member contact the emergency services where they live, but DCUK will not be collating and maintaining worldwide list of emergency services numbers.

It is impractical and potentially dangerous.
 
Last edited:
Personly in the UK I think the Glucagon kits should have on them, now call 999. I can't think of a case when someone should do otherwise. (It is then up to the operator what response is sent.)
 
ringi said:
Personly in the UK I think the Glucagon kits should have on them, now call 999. I can't think of a case when someone should do otherwise. (It is then up to the operator what response is sent.)
Click to expand...
This was not the advice I was given.
I was told, if the person comes round, there is no need to contact emergency services.
They may feel woozy but if they are conscious it is not an emergency.

Having recently spent time in A&E, it is clear they are incredibly busy dealing with true emergencies making decisions which affect the patient immediately.
 
kitedoc said:
I noted a mother posting a real-time query recently about her daughter in a hypo and inebriated. Her query was answered quickly but I imagine that this type of query is not really what it was designed for. Does the site need an easily identified Emergency box/icon etc which advises in the case of, say hypos and vomiting, hypos and fitting, alcohol and hypo interactions, suicidal feelings, very high bsls with ketones etc what to do next ( basically call an ambulance and follow ambulance advice etc ?
Waiting for a website to answer such questions, the possible liabilities involved, the time delay when calling an ambulance and receiving over the phone information/instructions from the immediate health service is the priority seem to me to be unsuitable use of the site.
I am not criticising those that post such questions, but wondering how the site can best help and guide them.
I have high praise for all the support this site and its members give. Can we do even better ?
Click to expand...

Well done for trying @kitedoc, no harm in asking.
 
Back
Top