Päivystyspalvelu

Päivystyspalvelu refers to emergency services or on-call services in Finland. It is a critical component of the healthcare system, ensuring that individuals can receive urgent medical attention outside of regular office hours. This includes evenings, weekends, and public holidays.

There are different types of päivystyspalvelu, depending on the severity of the need. For life-threatening emergencies, individuals are instructed to call the general emergency number 112, which will dispatch an ambulance and direct them to the nearest emergency room or hospital. For less severe but urgent medical issues that cannot wait for a regular appointment, there are separate emergency clinics, often referred to as päivystyspisteet. These clinics are staffed by doctors and nurses to provide immediate care for conditions that require prompt attention but are not life-threatening.

The purpose of päivystyspalvelu is to provide timely and accessible healthcare for situations that arise unexpectedly. It aims to alleviate pressure on regular healthcare services and prevent minor issues from escalating into more serious health problems due to delayed treatment. Accessing päivystyspalvelu typically involves going directly to the designated emergency clinic or calling a specific health advice number for guidance. The services provided are intended to stabilize a patient's condition, diagnose urgent issues, and provide necessary treatment or referrals for further care.