Emergency Call Protocol
Emergency Call Protocol for Tattoo Artists
When you are mid-sleeve with a client, you cannot drop your machine to answer a panicked call. This protocol helps you distinguish between a medical piercing concern and a last-minute request for a vacation tattoo so you never break your sterile field for a non-emergency.
Defining the Tattoo Emergency
In the tattoo world, an emergency falls into two categories: health-related and timeline-related. Health emergencies include signs of infection on a fresh $500 piece or an allergic reaction to a specific ink pigment. Timeline emergencies are clients begging for a touch-up or a small $150 flash piece before a wedding or vacation. You must train your front desk or AI receptionist to identify keywords like 'pus,' 'fever,' 'swelling,' or 'leaving tomorrow' to categorize the urgency of the call immediately.
Key takeaway: Differentiate between medical risks and client scheduling 'emergencies' to prioritize your workflow.
The Triage Decision Tree
When a call comes in, the first step is determining if the client needs a doctor or a needle. If a client reports extreme pain or streaks radiating from the tattoo, they should be directed to urgent care immediately. For technical issues like a 'blown out' line or a popped-out dermal piercing, the goal is to get a photo sent to your shop phone or CRM. Using SkipCalls allows you to capture these details via text even while you are finishing a six-hour session, ensuring the client feels heard without you losing your rhythm.
