The possibility of a patient having a medical emergency (such as a cardiopulmonary arrest) in a clinician's office exists in all areas of medical practice. Procedures for handling an emergency should be developed and periodically reviewed with all staff. Appropriate equipment should be available for early intervention. Basic life support equipment (including oxygen, oxygen mask, bag resuscitator, oral airways, IV epinephrine and diphenhydramine) should be available, well-maintained and not locked away. Appropriate equipment for pediatric patients should also be on hand. Since an emergency can occur at any time, several, if not all members of the office staff should be trained (and periodically retrained) in using this equipment. Advanced life support equipment may be appropriate for certain patient populations in practices where staff is trained in its use.

Clinicians practicing in a hospital setting are best served by calling a code. Those with offices outside the hospital can call 911. But all offices should be able to start interventions with crash carts, bag resuscitators and masks, etc. onsite.

An inadequate response to a medical emergency may be difficult to defend regardless of the practice specialty or setting. Patients may assume a physician's office is prepared for medical crises, and may well perceive any delay in emergency treatment as negligence.