Managing Health Emergencies at Home: Hospital vs. Urgent Care

1. Science in our Lives II

2. Hospital vs. Urgent care/Family Doctor Go to the hospital if: Falls with injury or while taking blood thinning medications Loss of vision Head and eye injuries Broken bones or dislocated joints Deep cuts that require stitches – especially on the face Head or eye injuries Severe flu or cold symptoms High fevers or fevers with rash Bleeding that won’t stop or a large open wound Vaginal bleeding with pregnancy Serious burns Seizures without a previous diagnosis of epilepsy • Persistent chest pain, especially if it radiates to your arm or jaw or is accompanied by sweating, vomiting or shortness of breath • Persistent shortness of breath or wheezing • Severe pain, particularly in the abdomen or starting halfway down the back • Loss of balance or fainting • Difficulty speaking, altered mental status or confusion • Weakness or paralysis • Severe heart palpitations • Sudden testicular pain and swelling • Newborn baby with a fever • Intestinal bleeding • Severe allergic reaction to food such as shortness of breath, swelling or rash

3. Hospital vs. Urgent care/Family Doctor Go to urgent care/family doctor if: • Fever without rash • Minor trauma such as a common sprain • Painful urination • Persistent diarrhea • Severe sore throat • Stuffy nose • Vomiting

4. Moles—When to get them checked

5. 911 Script • My name is… (first and last name) • The emergency is at… (from address/location) • Give important details • Why you need assistance (name of wound, injury, fire, etc.) • Who it happened to • What caused the emergency (car accident, house hold accident, etc.) • You may have to directions • Know the NEAREST MAJOR intersection • Be ready to give other directions • My phone number is…(517-999-9999) • Listen to all other directions the dispatcher gives you • STAY ON THE LINE UNTIL THEY SAY YOU CAN HANG UP

6. Important Health Phone Numbers • Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222 • Children’s Hospital Michigan Regional Poison Center • Grand Ledge Police (non emergency): (517)627-7877 • Lansing Police (non emergency): (517)483-4600 • Potterville Police (non emergency): (517)645-7802 • Willow Health Center: (517)702-3500 • 306 W. WillowLansing, Mi48906 • Hours of operation: • Mon-Thu: 10am-7pm • Fri:   10am-5pm

7. Household Hazards • Combustible materials • Cooking Oil, Disinfectants, drain unclogging liquids, alcohol, paint thinners etc • Aerosols • Nylon, acrylic, polyester, rayon—Children’s Pajamas • Other fire hazards • Chimneys, clothes dries—make sure to clean lint traps for every use, bathroom exhaust fans • Extinguishing fires • Ordinary combustibles—Water, smother (cover it), foam fire extinguisher • Flammable liquid and gas—CO2 fire extinguisher or dry chemical extinguisher • Electrical—CO2 fire extinguisher or dry chemical extinguisher • Metal—dry power extinguishers • Cooking oils and fats—CO2 fire extinguisher, smother, or dry power extinguisher, pour A LOT baking soda on it

9. Household Hazards • Poisonous gasses • Radon—colorless and odorless emits from the soil • Carbon Monoxide—colorless and odorless comes from many household items and appliances • Solvents and cleaners—ventilate house when using them • Poisonous metals • Led—old paint • Mercury—fish, old thermometers, fluorescent bulbs • Cadmium—some batteries, mostly industrially uses • Arsenic—ground water • Asbestos • A mineral used in building materials before 1989 • Mold • Anything damp