By: Robert Remler
"Every second counts in an emergency, so knowing when and whom to call for help is critical," said Alan A. Katz, M.D., associate director of Emergency Services at South Nassau. "If you are not sure whether you are facing a real emergency, we advise that you contact EMS."Local emergency medical service phone numbers, including 911 and the police and fire departments, should be on a list taped to your telephones. Be sure to include the street address with the list of emergency numbers, so that anyone, especially visitors, will be able to report it correctly."If you don't have lists attached to your phones or you're traveling," said Katz, "you can find local EMS phone numbers on the inside front cover of most telephone books."When calling an EMS number or 911, be prepared to explain the exact nature of the emergency and to provide the following information:
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The location of the emergency, including the address and city and possibly a nearby intersection or landmark.
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The floor of the building and the apartment or room number if the emergency is an office or apartment building or hotel.
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What happened and the condition of the victim or victims.
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What help is being given at the present time.
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Your name and the number of the telephone from which you are calling. In addition, remember to:
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Stay on the line until told to hang up, because the emergency operator may give you instructions about what you do until help arrives.
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Answer all questions to the best of your ability so that the emergency operator can provide the EMS with as many details as possible.
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Listen carefully.Until help arrives, stay calm. This will reassure the patient that help is on the way. Make the patient as comfortable as possible and follow through on all instructions provided by the emergency operator. If possible, have someone move furniture or other obstacles so the emergency medical technicians will have easy access to the patient. It is also helpful to gather all medications that the patient may be taking. This will help the paramedics determine medical history.If you can verify that the patient has no pulse and is not breathing, begin CPR only if you have been certified in this life-saving technique. For emergencies that occur in the evening, remember to turn on a porch light or place a visible marker in front of the location to help the EMS team find the address easily. Finally, follow the passage of time as closely as possible, making note of how long the medical condition has existed and how long the person has had the symptoms or has been unconscious."Don't move the person unless it is to remove him/her from immediate danger," Katz cautions. "If you are able, send someone else to meet the EMS unit and direct them to you."
Fund for the future
Swim for the health of Long Island's children at Winthrop-University Hospital's first annual Swim-A-Thon, Sunday, Feb. 10. It will be held at the Hofstra University Swim Center from 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The event will benefit Winthrop's Pediatric "Fund for the Future," an initiative for a new Children's Inpatient Center.The Swim-A-Thon is open to all swimmers, ages six to 60. Participants will not only have the opportunity to have great fun and win exciting prizes, but also play a role in the future of children's health. Hospitalization is a traumatic event for any child and Winthrop is setting out to better meet the emotional and physical needs of its growing number of young patients through the development of the Children's Inpatient Center. Registration is $10 for adults and $5 for children (six to 18 years). For more information or for a registration form, call (516) 663-4403.
Diabetes support group
Franklin Hospital Medical Center's Diabetes Support Group Coordinator Ilia Scrivano, R.N., will be the featured speaker at the hospital's Diabetes Support Group meeting set for Monday, Feb. 11.Scrivano will lead an informal presentation on the topic "Diabetic Lab Tests" and will also show the film, "Knowing Your Alc."The support group will meet at 7:30 p.m. in the hospital's Geriatric Conference Room, 900 Franklin Avenue, Valley Stream.
Community blood drive
Long Beach Medical Center is hosting a blood drive on Tuesday, Feb. 19, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Medical Center's cafeteria, 455 E. Bay Drive. Blood donors must be at least 17 years of age, weigh over 110 pounds and have photo identification. No appointments necessary. For information, call (516) 897-1412.
Other events and activities
Nassau University Medical Center needs volunteers. If you are interested, contact the Auxiliary Department at (516) 572-6588... Weekly depression screening at Long Beach Medical Center, 455 E. Bay Drive, on Wednesdays, 2 to 3 p.m. Pre-registration is not required. Call the Counseling Center at (516) 897-1270... "Faces of Autoimmune Disease" is a free lecture at the Winthrop Community Outreach Center, 101 Mineola Boulevard, Mineola, on Wednesday, Feb. 13. The program will begin with registration at 6:30 p.m., followed by a lecture at 7 p.m.
