Tag: emergency

Cold truths about hypothermia

111960627Every Minnesotan is familiar with piling on coats, hats, mittens and other clothing to stay protected from the elements during the winter months. Hypothermia — literally meaning “low (body) temperature” —  occurs when too much heat escapes the core of the body and cannot be replaced quickly enough. It can affect someone’s mental and physical abilities and eventually be fatal if not treated. Hypothermia sets in very slowly, so those affected often do not realize they need help or medical attention. 

No one plans to become hypothermic; car trouble, walking home from a party, or a slip and fall on the ice are just a few ways people inadvertently get over-exposed to the harsh cold.

Continue reading “Cold truths about hypothermia” →

Poison Prevention Tips for Child Safety

Poison HelpNational Poison Prevention Week
March 15 – 21

In support of National Poison Prevention Week, March 15-21, the Minnesota Poison Control System and Safe Kids Minnesota are offering simple suggestions to keep children safe. The organizations emphasize that poisonings can happen anytime, anywhere, and to anyone.

The Poison Center states that about 50 percent of poisonings occur in children under the age of six and 94% of poisonings occur in the home. Recent research from Safe Kids Worldwide found that only 4% of parents expressed concerns about poisoning compared to other injury hazards in the home. In another Safe Kids report, 77% of children’s poison-related emergency room visits were related to exposure to medications belonging to a parent or grandparent.

To prevent these incidents, the Poison Center and Safe Kids Minnesota offer these important tips for families:

  • Program the nationwide Poison Help number (1-800-222-1222) into your cell or home phones.
  • Keep medicines and household products in their original containers.
  • Keep all medicines and household products up high and out of sight or locked up. If visitors are expected in your home, make sure suitcases and purses are stored out of children’s reach; remind visitors to take responsibility for their own medications.
  • Take the time to read and follow the label before taking or giving medicine.

Key Facts About the Minnesota Poison Control System

Anytime, anywhere, anyone can call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.

Anytime: The Poison Center Emergency Call Center is available 24/7/365. It’s free and confidential.

Anywhere: In 2014, the Poison Center managed 48,446 calls statewide from homes, schools, workplaces, and health care facilities statewide.

Anyone can call for help managing poison emergencies including; parents, caregivers, community members, emergency medical personnel, nurses, and physicians.

The Poison Center saves lives and money throughout Minnesota. Every dollar spent on Poison Center services saves over $13 in unnecessary medical costs. Ninety-one percent of exposures in the home are safely managed at home with expert consultation.

In 2014, Poison Center services saved Minnesotans $35 million in health care and lost productivity costs and prevented 27,000 unnecessary Emergency Department visits.

Visit www.mnpoison.org or www.safekids.org/medicinesafety for more prevention tips, educational resources, and downloadable materials. Follow The Poison Center on Twitter @mnpoisoncenter or on Facebook.

The Minnesota Poison Control System is located at Hennepin County Medical Center. The Poison Center is designated by the Minnesota Department of Health to provide poison information and consultative services to the entire State of Minnesota.

Safe Kids Minnesota works to prevent unintentional childhood injury, the number one cause of death for children in the United States. Safe Kids Minnesota is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations dedicated to preventing unintentional injury. Safe Kids Minnesota was founded in 1988 and is led by the Minnesota Safety Council. For more information, visit safekids.org   or minnesotasafetycouncil.org/safekids.

Dept. of Emergency Medicine research study notification

The Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) Department of Emergency Medicine will be conducting a medical research study starting in Fall 2014. The purpose of this press release is to educate and notify the public of the study. This study is different than most other research studies because it involves a process called exception from informed consent. Continue reading “Dept. of Emergency Medicine research study notification” →

HCMC marks 25 years of Level I Trauma care

PrintIn 1989, Hennepin County Medical Center HCMC) was the first hospital in Minnesota – and one of the first in the country – to be verified by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) as a Level I Trauma Center.  This year the Level I Adult and Level I Pediatric Trauma Center marks its 25th year with this distinction. Continue reading “HCMC marks 25 years of Level I Trauma care” →

HCMC re-verified for Level I Trauma care

Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) has successfully achieved re-verification by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) as a Level I Adult Trauma Center and a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center.  HCMC was the first hospital in Minnesota to achieve this status, and in 2014 it will mark its 25th year as a Level I Trauma Center.

Dr. Arthur Ney
Dr. Arthur Ney

“HCMC’s dual verification ensures that we are able to provide the highest level of trauma care to patients of all ages, and allows us to keep families together,” explains  Dr. Arthur Ney, Trauma Medical Director of HCMC’s Trauma Services.  

“It takes a complex, professional team from the entire institution to ensure that every detail is addressed for each trauma patient. The site survey by the American College of Surgeons is an intense process and we appreciate the efforts from everyone at HCMC in meeting the requirements.  It’s always an honor to achieve re-verification.”

“HCMC has a long history of providing quality care to critically ill and injured children,” says Dr. Donavon Hess, Pediatric Trauma Medical Director of HCMC’s Pediatric Trauma Services. “The ACS pediatric reviewer was impressed with the high degree of injury acuity of our pediatric trauma patients, the coordinated care provided by all the specialty trauma services, and the exceptional outcomes of our patients.”

To be verified by the American College of Surgeons as a Level I Trauma Center, an institution is measured against national guidelines and standards of care that ensure that trauma centers provide an organized and systemic approach to the care of the injured patient. Essential elements include highly trained personnel, state-of-the-art facilities, and ongoing performance improvement activities.

“HCMC has a well-established culture of providing pediatric trauma care that is evident from the moment the child enters our doors until the time of discharge and follow-up care,” Dr. Hess continues. “My partners and I are happy to be providing comprehensive pediatric surgical services, including trauma, neonatal, acute care and elective surgery at HCMC.”

Hennepin County Medical Center is a comprehensive academic medical center and public teaching hospital with the largest emergency department in the state. In addition to the 462-bed acute care hospital and primary care and specialty clinics located in downtown Minneapolis, Hennepin offers primary care clinics in Minneapolis and suburban Hennepin County.

Safety tips for your 4th of July holiday

80408326We’ve waited for it all winter — and now summer is finally here! A long 4th of July holiday weekend with beautiful, sunny weather is expected.  While we anticipate fun at the lake, picnics, and celebrations — injuries can stop fun in its tracks.  Most injuries are entirely avoidable, so a little prevention goes a long way to help you keep you and your loved ones safe.

“Over the 4th of July, we often see injuries related to drinking too much alcohol,” explains Hennepin County Medical Center emergency physician Dr. James Miner. “But there’s also  summertime trauma like motorcycle and car accidents,  boating accidents, and fireworks injuries.  Of course we see more fireworks injuries over the 4th of July holiday than any other time of the year, and these are usually eye injuries and burns.”

Some simple precautions surrounding the use of fireworks can help keep you out of the emergency department:

  • Always have a bucket of water or hose handy.
  • Never give fireworks to young children.
  • Light fireworks a safe distance from people and flammables.
  • Never try to relight a dud.
  • Never carry fireworks in your pockets.
  • Place used firework pieces in a metal container and douse with water.

These safety tips and more are available on HCMC’s Outdoor Safety web page at hcmc.org/outdoors.  Have a safe, happy,  fun 4th of July weekend!

Verified since 1989 as a Level I Trauma Center for adult and pediatric patients, Hennepin County Medical Center is a comprehensive academic medical center and public teaching hospital with the largest emergency department in the state. In addition to the 462-bed acute care hospital and primary care and specialty clinics located in downtown Minneapolis, Hennepin offers primary care clinics in Minneapolis and suburban Hennepin County.

Notice of emergency medicine research study

The Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) Department of Emergency Medicine will be conducting a medical research study starting in Summer 2013. The purpose of this press release is to educate and notify the public of the study. This study is different than most other research studies because it involves a process called Exception from Informed Consent. Continue reading “Notice of emergency medicine research study” →