Procedures
for Emergency Medical Care
In
the event of true life-threatening emergencies, it is always recommended that
any life-saving action (CPR, Heimlich, etc.) be started immediately. A call should then be made to Emergency
Medical Services by dialing (from campus phones) 6-911. The Health Center should then be notified
immediately following the 911 call. Situations warranting such a call include: student or individual not
breathing or with extreme difficulty in breathing, initiation of CPR,
significant head or neck trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, and/or imminent risk of self harm or harm to others. Please note that portable defibrillators are
available for use in cardiac emergencies. Defibrillators are always accessible 24 hours a day at various locations
throughout campus. Various members of
the school community (including health services staff, faculty, coaches, and
security) are trained in CPR and the proper use of the defibrillator.
Guidelines for Care
in Event of Emergency
In general, a few basic actions will assist in managing any medical or mental health
emergency:
-
Remain calm. When asking for help from others or
communicating needs, speak clearly.
-
Speak calmly and clearly to the student in
need.
- When possible,
quickly assess the surrounding area
and situation; instruct crowds to remain calm and at a distance, remove any
obvious potential dangers or sources of further harm, gather information about
the source of injury or illness.
- Always first provide
any life-saving measures if
indicated (CPR, Heimlich, etc.).
- When possible, stay with the student in crisis and
send another individual to summons help or on-call provider.
- Provide the appropriate
basic first aid when possible.
Be aware of the following specific medical considerations:
- For
injuries of the head, neck, back or
any injury involving unconsciousness of unknown origin: DO
NOT move the student or any body part of the student.
- For
the unconscious person with no possible
head, back, or neck injury: turn patient
on side. Quickly determine presence of a
pulse and respirations. If not present
or unable to determine, begin CPR.
- For the person with blood loss: determine the source of the
bleeding and apply constant and firm pressure.
- For the person with a
seizure: remove any source of harm,
do not attempt to place any object in the mouth or airway of the student,
continue to observe the student for ability to breath.
Be aware of the following specific psychological considerations:
- For
the student with irrational behavior or
emotional liability: speak calmly and softly, remove any potential sources
of harm, remain in position that allows you and
the student a means of egress, assess any danger to yourself and limit risks
when possible.
- For the suicidal or homicidal person: listen carefully
to the person, speak calmly, or email with the person….do NOT leave the person
alone. When possible, remove any sources
of harm and evacuate others at risk, assure the person of your ability to help
him/her obtain help.