How does PreConsult handle medical emergencies?
Emergency guidance and practitioner notification protocols
Patient-Centred Emergency Guidance
PreConsult reminds patients to call 000 if they're experiencing an emergency. When patients describe symptoms that may warrant urgent attention, they are directed to seek immediate help, and practitioners are notified. All clinical decisions remain with qualified healthcare professionals—maintaining TGA-exempt CDSS status.
What Patients Are Told
Before the Interview
Patients are reminded that PreConsult is for non-emergency pre-appointment history collection. If they're experiencing a medical emergency, they should call 000 immediately or go to their nearest emergency department.
During the Interview
If a patient describes symptoms commonly associated with emergencies (such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, or thoughts of self-harm), the system directs them to seek immediate help by calling 000 or attending an emergency department. The interview can continue if the patient confirms they are safe, or they can end the session.
Practitioner Notification
When patients describe symptoms that may warrant urgent attention, practitioners are notified so they can follow up as they see fit. Practitioners make all clinical decisions about urgency, triage, and appropriate action.
Practitioner Notified
When patients describe symptoms that may warrant attention, the assigned practitioner receives a notification via email and dashboard alert
Session Highlighted
The session is highlighted in the practitioner's review queue so they can prioritise as appropriate
Full Context Provided
Practitioners receive the complete patient narrative and can review what the patient described to inform their clinical judgement
Practitioner Decides
The practitioner determines appropriate follow-up action based on their clinical expertise—call the patient, arrange urgent review, or proceed with scheduled appointment
Patient Safety Design
What Patients See
- Clear 000 guidance for emergencies
- Direction to seek help if needed
- No diagnostic information shown
- No clinical assessments displayed
What Practitioners See
- Full patient narrative from interview
- Notification when symptoms warrant attention
- Complete context for clinical decisions
- Audit trail of all interactions
Types of Symptoms That Trigger Notification
When patients describe symptoms commonly associated with urgent presentations, practitioners are notified. Examples include:
Cardiovascular Symptoms
- Chest pain or pressure
- Severe shortness of breath
- Palpitations with fainting
Neurological Symptoms
- Sudden weakness or numbness
- Severe sudden headache
- Difficulty speaking
Other Urgent Symptoms
- Severe bleeding
- High fever with confusion
- Severe abdominal pain
Mental Health Concerns
- Thoughts of self-harm
- Suicidal ideation
- Acute distress
Practitioners review all patient-reported symptoms and make clinical decisions about urgency and appropriate follow-up.
Patient Safety Through Practitioner-Led Care
PreConsult supports patient safety by providing clear emergency guidance and keeping practitioners informed—while ensuring all clinical decisions remain with qualified professionals.