Emergency Department

Life Saving Steps to take in an Emergency Situation

Bites and Stings
For animal bites, flush wound with water for several minutes. Then wash the wounds with soap and water. Transport victim to doctor or the Emergency Department. If possible, identify animal and obtain name of owner. For Insect stings, remove the stinger. Apply ice for comfort. If victim gets hives or itches all over, wheezes, vomits, or has an allergic reaction, immediately call 911 for emergency medical transport to Battle Creek Health System.We're here when you need us…physician staffed 24-hours a day.

Choking
Lean victim forward over a chair and deliver four sharp blows to the upper back between the shoulder blades. If the object does not dislodge, stand behind the person and wrap your arms around his or her waist. Place one clenched fist above the persons navel and below the rib cage. Grab your fist with the other hand. Pull clenched fist backward and upward under the rib cage six to ten times. Repeat if necessary. If choking continues, call 911 and continue to administer first aid until help arrives.

Bleeding
For minor bleeding, wash wound with soap and water. Apply clean dressing. For major bleeding, elevate area above victims heart. Apply firm pressure directly on the wound with sterile gauze or a clean cloth. If blood soaks through, do not remove gauze or cloth. Apply more gauze or cloth directly on top and increase pressure. Do not use a tourniquet. If bleeding persists, immediately take victim to emergency room.

Fever
If fever is at least 102 degrees orally and 103 degrees rectally, remove unnecessary clothing from victim and give acetaminophen as instructed on the label. Do not give aspirin to children. If fever is higher than 104, sponge the victim with lukewarm water. Do not use ice or rubbing alcohol for sponging. Do not let victim get chilled. If fever persists, call your doctor.

Eye Injuries
To remove a foreign object in eye, grasp victim’s eyelashes and pull upper eyelid over lower eyelid. Allow tears to wash object out of eye or flush eye with water. If object does not wash away, cover eye loosely and call your physician or go to emergency department.

Fractures
For a simple fracture, splint the break with any available material, such as a folded newspaper, cardboard or a rolled-up blanket. Do not attempt to realign or reposition the fracture. Transport to Battle Creek Health System.

Burns
For minor heat burns, immerse burned area in cool water or apply cool wet towels. Do not apply grease or butter. Do not break blisters. In case of broken blisters, apply a clean dressing. A light coating of antibiotic ointment may be used. For major heat burns, have a victim lie down. Do not break blisters or remove charred clothing. Do not apply ointment or any other medication. Cover with clean, dry dressing. Call 911 immediately for medical transport to Battle Creek Health System. For chemical burns, flood burned area with water to rinse chemicals off skin. Do not break blisters. Do not apply ointment or any other medication. Cover with clean, dry dressing. Call 911 immediately for medical transport to Battle Creek Health System Emergency Department. For electrical burns, move victim away from the source of electricity when it is safe to do so. Immediately dial 911 for emergency medical transport to Battle Creek Health System.

Shock
Electrical shock — If possible, turn off electricity. DO NOT touch victim until contact is broken. Pull contact line from victim with dry rope, cloth or wooden pole. Keep victim warm and still. Call 911 for emergency medical transport to Battle Creek Health System. Traumatic shock — Keep victim lying down and lightly covered. Avoid moving patient. Make sure victim is breathing and airway is open. Try to stop major bleeding by applying direct pressure. Call 911 for emergency medical transport to Battle Creek Health System.

Heart Attack
In the event of steady pressure felt in the center of the chest lasting two minutes or more, immediately call 911. Do not wait for severe pain, dizziness, sweating or shortness of breath. Victim should stop all activity and rest. Loosen clothing at neck, chest and waist. If victim has nitroglycerin tablets, help victim take as prescribed. If unconscious, check for breathing and pulse. Begin CPR if needed.

Poisoning
Try to find the container of substance ingested. Call poison control and report the age of the victim, the name of the product or plant ingested, the approximate amount ingested and the approximate time of ingestion. Follow the instructions given to you. Do not induce vomiting unless specifically instructed to do so by medical personnel. If the victim is unconscious, roll onto left side to allow drainage of fluids which may block the airway and call 911.