Any of the following is acted on immediately. EMS is activated first for life threats; provider notification and orders follow.
Red flags — act immediately
Active significant bleeding — melena, hematemesis, a large hematoma, or uncontrolled bleeding → activate EMS; the threshold is lower on an anticoagulant (cross-reference Anticoagulation).
A single temperature ≥100.4°F (38°C) in an immunosuppressed or neutropenic patient → neutropenic-fever emergency — urgent evaluation (cross-reference Allergic/Immunologic).
New spontaneous bruising or petechiae → possible thrombocytopenia; notify urgently.
Deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism signs — unilateral limb swelling, or pleuritic chest pain with dyspnea → activate EMS / urgent evaluation (cross-reference Peripheral Vascular).
A transfusion reaction during or after home transfusion → stop the transfusion per protocol and activate EMS.
