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Where should you seek help if something goes wrong during recovery?

EastMedGo

If you develop severe trouble breathing, chest pain, loss of consciousness, seizures, heavy bleeding, difficulty waking or slow breathing, or sudden critical changes such as facial drooping, weakness on one side or difficulty speaking, call local emergency services immediately. In mainland China, dial 120. Do not wait for a reply from overseas, and do not delay seeking help to organize documents.

Key points

  • Ask your treatment team to write down which changes after your particular surgery or treatment require immediate emergency help, which require contact the same day, and what backup options to use at night or if you cannot reach them.
  • If symptoms keep getting worse or you cannot get an assessment within the agreed time, do not keep waiting for a reply. If symptoms are severe or worsen rapidly, seek emergency help immediately.
  • Even if you are unsure whether symptoms are related to treatment, tell the healthcare staff where you recently received medical care and what care you received.

Plan how to get help before leaving the hospital

Ask your treatment team what changes to expect during normal recovery, which signs mean you should seek care sooner, and what type of facility to go to. Write down daytime and nighttime phone numbers, where to go for local emergency care, transport arrangements and backup contacts if you cannot reach the team. Before returning home, ask the receiving healthcare team there to confirm whether they can take over your care, especially if you need medical devices, specialist care or ongoing medication.

If your treatment team gives you specific warning thresholds, record them on your card. If they do not, do not apply general numbers found online on your own. Make sure you can find your emergency care plan even without internet access on your phone or a family member nearby.

What to say when something goes wrong

When contacting healthcare staff or emergency services, first give your current location and a callback number. Then describe the main change, when it started and whether it is getting worse. For sudden neurological symptoms, tell the call handler the last time the patient was known to be normal. Explain any recent surgery or treatment, important medications, allergies and medical devices. Follow the call handler’s instructions and keep your phone line available.

In mainland China, prepare the Chinese name of your hotel or accommodation, its full address, floor, room number and a nearby recognizable landmark in advance. If possible, ask someone to meet the ambulance crew at the entrance.

Who to contact for changes that are not emergencies

If wound redness, swelling, pain or drainage increases, contact your treatment team promptly and try to get assessed the same day. Seek local medical assessment immediately for persistent vomiting, inability to keep fluids down, or new swelling and pain in one leg. If you also have chest pain or trouble breathing, call emergency services immediately. If fever or suspected infection occurs with new confusion, trouble breathing, difficulty waking or rapid deterioration, call local emergency services immediately.

Also contact your treatment team if there is a problem with medication or a medical device, or if your pain changes significantly from before. Explain what changed and when it started. If you cannot reach the team promptly, go to a local emergency department or call emergency services according to the severity. Do not keep waiting for a callback.

If you are running low on scheduled medication or care supplies, contact the prescribing team and a local doctor or pharmacist before you run out. Give the name, strength or specifications, amount remaining and when you will next need it. Do not switch medications or change doses on your own. If you have already run out, explain when you last used the medication or supplies and ask the clinical team to arrange the next steps.

Prepare a card to carry with you

  • Patient’s name, date of birth, emergency contact and callback number.
  • Name, date and hospital of recent treatment or surgery; main diagnosis, allergies and current medication list.
  • Any implants, tubes or other important equipment, and where to find the discharge summary.
  • Current address, local emergency number, treatment team and backup contacts.
  • Warning signs and actions written by the doctor specifically for you.

Keep both a paper copy and a copy on your phone. Ask the healthcare staff receiving you to confirm that they understand your recent history of medical care abroad. More complete records can follow later.

Frequently asked questions

Must I contact the original treating hospital before calling emergency services?

No. If the situation is critical or worsening rapidly, call local emergency services first. Notify the original team once you are safe.

What if my phone has no signal or I cannot speak Chinese?

Prepare a paper copy of your address in Chinese and a brief medical card in advance. Ask a companion or someone nearby to help make the call. In an emergency, seek help first; do not wait for a complete translation.

What if my symptoms do not seem serious, but the original team has not replied?

Contact a backup person or a local facility that can assess you within the timeframe agreed at discharge. If symptoms worsen or critical changes occur, seek more urgent help immediately.

What if my wound is redder and more painful than yesterday?

Contact your treatment team or a local healthcare facility as soon as possible. Explain the location, what has changed and whether there is any drainage, and get assessed as they advise. For severe bleeding or rapid deterioration, call emergency services.

What if I do not have enough pain medication or my pain gets much worse?

Record the medication name, when you last took it and how the pain has changed, and contact the prescribing team. Do not increase the dose on your own. Seek emergency help immediately for sudden severe pain or pain accompanied by serious breathing problems, chest symptoms or changes in consciousness.

Does the emergency department need to know about my treatment in China after I return home?

Yes. Tell the healthcare staff about your recent medical care abroad and when you received treatment, and bring your discharge summary and medication list. If there is no time to organize them, seek care first.

If my device alarm sounds or a tube disconnects, can I adjust it myself?

Follow the safety steps the team taught you in advance and contact the person they designated. If you are unsure, do not adjust the device or reinsert the tube yourself. If the patient also has critical symptoms, call emergency services first.

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