Disclaimer: If you think you have a medical emergency, call 911. The health tips and information we share on this blog are for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. They are not a substitute for advice from your own doctor or healthcare provider.
At StationMD, we know that for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), even small medical events can feel big, and in serious cases, life-threatening. That’s why knowing when a situation is emergent versus urgent is not just a medical distinction; it’s a tool for delivering the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
What’s the Difference?
Emergent conditions are events that require immediate action and care within minutes. Use the acronym ABCD to remember the following emergent conditions and their symptoms:
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- A for Airway emergency, includes:
- Choking
- Lip or tongue swelling
- Cannot speak
- B for Breathing emergency, includes:
- Heavy or deep breathing
- Making noises when breathing
- Cannot speak in full sentences
- C for Circulation emergency, includes:
- Blue lips, fingers, or toes
- Uncontrollable bleeding
- Pale skin
- Cold sweat
- D for Disability emergency, includes:
- Falling and unable to get up
- Uncontrollable seizures
- Visible broken bone or piercing out of skin
- A for Airway emergency, includes:
These emergencies are where calling 911 is the safest and fastest way to stabilize the individual. The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) recommends seeking emergency care when symptoms are severe or life-threatening.
Urgent conditions, on the other hand, still require medical attention, but not necessarily an ER visit. These might include:
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- Fevers, rashes, red eyes
- Behavioral changes
- Minor falls or limping
- Medication questions or allergic reactions
These are often best handled by a healthcare provider within a few hours — not minutes.
Why This Matters for the I/DD Community
For individuals with I/DD, a trip to the ER can be more than disruptive; it can be traumatic. Loud noises, long waits, unfamiliar people and environments, and missed medications can lead to distress and setbacks that take weeks to recover from. Studies show that individuals with I/DD are often at higher risk for hospital-related harm and adverse outcomes.
That’s where StationMD comes in.
Our clinicians are trained to understand and support people with I/DD. Available 24/7 via telehealth, we help caregivers and staff when a medical event occurs. Often times, we can help manage the situation right at home, but if it does require you to visit the emergency room, we can call providers ahead of time to make sure individuals are cared for promptly and efficiently.
By identifying urgent issues early and avoiding unnecessary transfers, StationMD helps:
- Protect routines
- Reduce stress
- Prevent hospital-acquired infections
- Promote autonomy and dignity
Emergencies happen. But not every urgent issue is an emergency. With StationMD, you never have to make that call alone. Our team is always here to help you sort through the symptoms and get the care that’s needed—safely, compassionately, and without delay.
StationMD offers specialized telehealth services that ensure timely access to healthcare and mental health support for individuals with I/DD. Contact us here for more related clinical education, questions, or speaker engagements.