Appendix A: Recognizing Health Related Illness
Emergency Services Contact Procedures
When an employee has been impacted with a heat related illness, or any emergent medical condition, CSULB has the following process in place:
- When an employee appears to be suffering from a heat related illness, contact 9-1-1 immediately. Use a public telephone, an available campus telephone, a campus cellular telephone, or a private cellular telephone. At CSULB all 9-1-1 calls for emergency service (including most cellular telephone calls) are received by University Police Dispatch. Advise Dispatch that an employee is suffering from a heat related emergency. Do not hang up; the University Police Dispatched will require further information from the calling party.
- If the affected employee is able to walk, get them out of the sun, begin active cooling, and advise University Police Dispatch of the patient’s location on campus. Be as precise as possible. If the dispatcher requests that the employee be moved to a campus location that is easier for emergency services (Police and Fire/EMS responders) to access, advise the dispatcher if you think that can be done without further injury.
- If the patient cannot be re-located, provide University Police Dispatch with the precise campus location. If other employees or campus occupants are available, direct them to the nearest campus street to assist in directing emergency services to the patient.
The CSULB HIPP uses definitions and treatment modalities promulgated in the American Red Cross curriculum, First Aid/CPR/AED for the Workplace - 2007. The following information is collected from that source.
Types of Heat Related Illness
- Heat Cramps – are painful muscle spasms that usually occur in the legs (hamstrings) and abdomen. Heat cramps are treatable, and are the least severe form of heat related illness.
- Heat Exhaustion (heat syncope) – is an early indicator that the body’s cooling system is becoming overwhelmed. Signals of heat exhaustion include:
- Cool, moist, pale, ashen or flushed skin.
- Headache, nausea, dizziness.
- Weakness, exhaustion
- Heavy sweating (a capstone sign)
- Heat Stroke – is a profound medical emergency. Heat stroke occurs when the body’s systems are overwhelmed by heat and stop functioning. Heat stroke is a life threatening condition and requires professional emergency medical intervention. Signals of heat stroke include:
- Red, hot, dry skin.
- Changes in the level of consciousness (LOC)
- Vomiting
First Aid Care for Victims of Health Related Illness
For employees suffering from heat cramps or heat exhaustion:
- Move the employee out of the sun, to a cool shaded place.
- Loosen tight or restrictive clothing, and remove any personal protective equipment over garments.
- Remove perspiration soaked clothing.
- Apply cool, wet towels to the skin
- Fan the employee gently
- If the person is conscious, provide small sips of cool water, (not a sports drink)
For employees suffering from heat stroke:
- This is a profound medical emergency, and cannot be successfully treated in the field. Immediate and decisive action is required.
- Call 9-1-1 or 985-4101 and advise University Police Dispatch of the situation. Ensure that accurate directions are provided to University Police so medical assistance is not delayed.
- Move the employee to a place out of the sun, or provide shade for them.
- Loosen tight clothing, and begin active cooling methods (active fanning, pouring cool water over the body core, placing ice packs in the arm pits, behind the neck, and in the groin.
- Place the employee on their back (supine position) and gently roll them onto their side, with their airway (mouth) pointed down toward the ground in the recovery (Haines) position. Maintain an open airway!
- Continue to cool the person by using ice or cold packs on the employee’s wrists, ankles, groin, neck, and armpits.
- Remain with the employee until medical assistance arrives, and provide assistance to responders as required.