Tips for Medical Emergencies

Being away at school can leave a lot to be desired when a medical emergency occurs. The key is knowing what to do or who to call. Here are a few tips to prevent and deal with medical emergencies or illnesses: 

• Checkup
  Before going to college, it’s important to get an annual checkup, including an eye exam. Many college students find their vision changing as they get older. 

• Vaccinations
  Make sure all vaccinations are up to date. 

• Medical alert bracelet
  If you are dealing with a serious illness or have certain allergies that could be life-threatening, wearing a medical alert bracelet or necklace may be helpful. It will help EMTs provide the right assessment and treatment if they know and understand what they are working with. 

• Find and tour the health center
  Every campus has some type of student health center on campus. It’s important to find yours and find out what services they offer, the type of insurance they accept, and what out-of-pocket costs you could possibly incur. 

• Phone numbers
  You should have all the emergency numbers you need in hard copy or on your phone. These numbers include campus security, the health center, nearest hospital and urgent care, primary care physician, and nearest pharmacy. You should also add your emergency contact information in the event your family needs to be notified. 

• Have a small first-aid kit
  You should build your own first-aid kit to take to school with you that will address cuts and burns, muscle injuries, and simple illnesses. 

• Emergency cash
  Things happen. Make sure you have emergency cash on hand to handle those emergencies. If you have a co-pay for your insurance, find out what it would cost for an emergency room or urgent care visit so you’ll have that money set aside.