Spring weather is on its way. After a long season of being cooped up, we may find we need to spend some time outdoors cleaning up. Whether you or a loved one is suffering a seasonal illness or has sustained an injury from spring cleanup, when is it time to seek medical treatment?
For conditions such as trauma, heart attack or stroke, it goes without saying that it is always important to act quickly when someone is experiencing symptoms and to call 911 so emergency responders can initiate medical treatment immediately.
What constitutes a visit to the Emergency Center for illnesses and injuries that are non-life threatening?
McLaren Port Huron is committed to partnering with our community to provide the best care possible in the best way possible, including sharing guidelines for signs and symptoms of minor emergencies that should be treated promptly so patients can recover quickly. As the area’s only nationally verified trauma center, rest assured that McLaren Port Huron is equipped to treat major life-threatening emergencies with board-certified emergency physicians and specially trained staff.
Conditions that require prompt medical attention at the emergency room include:
- Trouble breathing
- Chest pain
- Fainting/Passing out
- Sudden confusion
- Deep wounds, heavy bleeding
- Severe pain
- Head injuries
- Broken bones
- Serious burns
- Poisoning or overdose of drug or alcohol
- Seizures
- Dizziness or weakness that does not go away
McLaren Port Huron is also prepared to treat non-life-threatening medical conditions.
Sprains and strains can cause generalized swelling and pain. You need emergency care if swelling and pain is also accompanied with:
- Difficulty moving the injured area
- Ability to move the area in an unnatural way
- Persistent pain while resting
- Numbness, loss of sensation, or tingling in the hands, fingers, feet, or toes of an affected limb
- Changes in skin temperature of the affected limb (cold)
Each year, more than 44,000 visits are made to McLaren Port Huron’s Emergency Center. As a fully equipped Emergency Center with state-of-the-art equipment and emergency-certified staff, McLaren Port Huron is the most experienced in the county. For more information about emergency services at McLaren Port Huron, visit www.mclaren.org/pher.