Vim & Vigor - Fall 2013 - North Mississippi - (Page 37)

viDEo Learn Hands-Only CPR in About a Minute If someone has stopped breathing, call 911 and immediately begin continuous chest compressions. You can learn how by watching a video from the American Heart Association: heart.org/handsonlycpr. Kids and Emergencies It Doesn’t End There You might be admitted to the hospital, or you may be transferred for specialized treatment. Otherwise, you’ll be sent home with care instructions from a doctor or a nurse. These may include making follow-up appointments with your primary care provider or specialists, taking prescription medications and watching for symptoms that justify a return to the ER. You’ll receive this information in printed form, but it’s still best for the patient’s companion to take notes and ask questions before leaving, because the patient may be too groggy, anxious or distressed to pay attention. Studies show that many ER patients don’t fully comprehend or remember posttreatment instructions (or even the treatment itself), yet their full and rapid recovery can depend on it. Deciding whether to bring a child to the emergency department is difficult, but it is best to err on the side of caution. “For example, fever is relatively minor in the vast majority of cases, but it can also be a sign of serious illness, and without medical evaluation that can be difficult to know,” says Joe Johnsey, MD, an emergency physician and the medical director for the North Mississippi Medical Center Emergency Department in Tupelo. “To figure out if fever or pain is a real emergency, consider whether your child is acting differently and if he’s usually a complainer.” Always call 911 if your child is unconscious or has difficulty breathing, uncontrollable bleeding or an obviously broken bone. Drive your child to the ER for severe abdominal pain or persistent abnormal behavior. For questions about a possible poisoning, call poison control at 800-222-1222. When you arrive at the ER, stay calm. “Kids will pick up on your anxiety,” Johnsey says, “so comfort them and bring a favorite toy or storybook along.” FAL L 2013 37 http://www.heart.org/handsonlycpr

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Fall 2013 - North Mississippi

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2013 - North Mississippi
Opening Thoughts
Recognized for Excellence
Step It Up
Your Mightiest Muscle
Well, Well, Well
Are You Doing More Harm Than Good?
Is Your Shut-Eye Serving You Well?
Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge
Anatomy of an ER Visit
Next-Gen Surgery
Attack From Within
Virtual Health
Working for You
Catch the Spirit

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2013 - North Mississippi